Kim Ho-joong, what is the expected sentence for concealing a drunken hit-and-run?

While Kim Ho-jung and his group, who systematically concealed the crime, were arrested due to concerns about destruction of evidence, Kim Ho-jung's sentence was expected.

The 686th episode of SBS' 'Curious Story Y', which aired on the 24th, dealt with the suspicion of Kim Ho-jung's concealment of a drunken hit-and-run.

On this day, lawyer Kim Gook-jin said about Kim Ho-jung's punishment, "If you flee without taking action after providing relief to the victim, you may be considered guilty of escaping and manslaughter. It also applies to failure to take action after an accident as stipulated in the Road Traffic Act. Additionally, CCTV footage shows shaky walking. “If there is, the crime of causing injury by dangerous driving may be applied in accordance with the Act on Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, etc., as the vehicle was used to injure people even though it cannot be driven under normal conditions with that data,” he predicted.

He added, "In the case of dangerous driving causing injury, it is stipulated that the person will be sentenced to imprisonment for not less than 1 year but not more than 15 years, or a fine of not less than 10 million won but not more than 30 million won." He also said, “I think the manager who falsely surrendered could be considered a fugitive.”

In addition, the prevailing opinion is that Kim Ho-joong's attempt to systematically conceal the accident with his agency even after drunk driving was in order to continue the performance without canceling it. An entertainment official said, “Wouldn’t you make more money if you only do one performance? If he had Kim Ho-jung's level of ability, he would have received a guarantee of 700 to 800 million won. I think this performance itself is contracted as a tour. Only by doing this can you pay the penalty and earn more. “He is currently making money in that entertainment company,” he said. “He has continued his activities through media play, claiming that he did not engage in illegal gambling.” “I think I was confident that I would get through the same thing this time,” he said.

Previously, Kim Ho-jung crossed the center line on a road in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul at around 11:40 pm on the 9th and ran away after colliding with a taxi on the opposite side. After the accident, Kim Ho-jung's manager changed Kim Ho-jung's clothes and went to the police station and turned himself in, claiming that he had driven the car. However, when the police interrogated him, Kim Ho-jung's crime was revealed. Kim Ho-jung, Representative Lee, and others systematically concealed the crime and destroyed evidence.

Accordingly, on the 22nd, the prosecution requested an arrest warrant for Kim Ho-jung on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (fleeing, causing injury by dangerous driving), violating the Road Traffic Act (failure to take action after an accident), and aiding the escape of a criminal. The court issued a warrant on the afternoon of the 24th. At 8:24, an arrest warrant was issued for Kim Ho-jung due to concerns about destruction of evidence.

Lee Gwang-deuk, CEO of Kim Ho-joong's agency, Saengkak Entertainment, and General Manager Jeon were also arrested for the same reason. Representative Lee is accused of ordering Mr. Kim's manager to falsely surrender himself after the accident (instructing the criminal to flee the country), and General Manager Jeon is accused of removing the black box memory card from Mr. Kim's vehicle (destruction of evidence, etc.).

Kim Ho-joong will remain in the Gangnam Police Station detention center in Seoul until the case is handed over to the prosecution. The police plan to complete further investigation and transfer the case within next week.

Taeyuna, Ten Asia Reporter youyou@tenasia.co.kr