Actor Lee Jae-ryong is facing charges of DUI and hit-and-run, with CCTV footage revealing him getting into his car without hesitation just before the incident.
On the 11th, a media outlet released a video showing Lee Jae-ryong getting into the driver's seat and driving out of a parking lot in Gangnam, Seoul, at 10:55 PM on the 6th, approximately 10 minutes before the accident. In the footage, Lee is seen talking on the phone as he enters his car and drives away.
Ten minutes later, at 11:05 PM, Lee crashed into a median near Cheongdam Station on Seoul's Subway Line 7. He left the scene without taking any measures and was apprehended three hours later at a friend's house. It was reported that Lee's blood alcohol content was at a license suspension level (0.03-0.08%).
According to the media, Lee and his companions left a nearby restaurant at around 8:30 PM after paying the bill. The police obtained the restaurant's order records, which included pork belly, three bottles of soju, and one bottle of beer. The police stated, "We are tracking Lee's whereabouts for about 2 hours and 30 minutes from when he left the restaurant to when he drove out of the parking lot."
During a police investigation on the 10th, Lee reportedly stated, "There were three gatherings before the traffic accident. I drank four glasses of soju at the last meal." When asked why he fled after hitting the guardrail, Lee claimed he was unaware of the incident. He repeatedly expressed remorse, saying, "I was wrong. I'm sorry," when questioned about driving under the influence despite having a prior record.
Lee denied allegations of 'drinking after the accident' to avoid accurate breathalyzer results. The police plan to apply the 'Widmark formula' in their investigation, as Lee was not caught at the scene for a breathalyzer test and was apprehended later. The Widmark formula estimates the level of intoxication at the time of the accident based on the amount of alcohol consumed, its concentration, and the rate of blood alcohol reduction over time.
Lee Jae-ryong has faced two previous DUI charges. In 2003, his license was revoked after a DUI accident in Gangnam. In 2019, he was charged with property damage for destroying a bowling alley sign while intoxicated in Gangnam.
Lee Soo-min, TenAsia Reporter danbilee19@tenasia.co.kr