Adult entertainment establishment visited by Kim Ho-jung was searched and seized

The police conducted a search and seizure of the entertainment establishment that singer Kim Ho-joong, who is suspected of failing to handle the accident and attempting to cover it up, visited before the accident.

According to the police on the 18th, Gangnam Police Station in Seoul executed a search and seizure warrant targeting entertainment establishments in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul from 1 am to 5:20 am on this day. The specific scope and contents of the seizure were not revealed.

It is known that through a search and seizure of an entertainment bar, data related to Kim Ho-joong's drinking before the accident, including CCTV footage, was secured. It was found that statements were also obtained from those present at the drinking party and from the bar staff, saying, 'I think I saw Kim Ho-joong drinking.'

In addition, the police reported from the National Institute of Forensic Science the previous day that approximately 20 hours had passed since the accident and urine collection, and alcohol metabolites (by-products generated during the body's digestion of alcohol) exceeding the criteria for drunkenness were detected, suggesting that urine was collected before the accident. I received a urine analysis result that said it was judged that he had been drinking.

Previously, Kim Ho-jung was accused of running away after crossing the center line on a road in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul at around 11:40 pm on the 9th, causing an accident in contact with a taxi on the opposite side (failure to take action after an accident under the Road Traffic Act).

Kim Ho-jung, who attended the police 17 hours after the accident and admitted to driving, had a negative breathalyzer test result. However, suspicions of drunk driving arose as it was revealed that Kim Ho-joong left the entertainment establishment on the day of the accident and called a substitute driver instead of driving himself. The accident occurred while Kim Ho-joong was driving the car after returning home.

During the investigation, the police confirmed that the black box memory card of Kim Ho-jung's vehicle was missing, applied for a search and seizure warrant on the 14th, and conducted a search and seizure of Kim Ho-jung's home and his agency on the 16th.

In particular, Kim Ho-jung aroused public outrage by pushing ahead with the 'Tvarotti Classic Arena Tour 2024' Changwon/Gimcheon and 'World Union Orchestra Super Classic' on the 18th without any changes to the schedule.

Lee Min-kyung, Ten Asia Reporter 2min_ror@tenasia.co.kr