Korean Singer Kim Ho-joong Transferred to South Korea's Only Private Prison

Korean singer Kim Ho-joong has been transferred to Somang Correctional Institution, South Korea's only private prison.

According to legal sources on the 19th, Kim left Seoul Detention Center on the 18th and entered Somang Correctional Institution located in Buknae-myeon, Yeoju-si, Gyeonggi-do.

Somang Correctional Institution is the first and only private prison in South Korea, known for its special correctional facilities that conduct rehabilitation activities based on Christian faith.

Only male inmates sentenced to less than seven years, with more than one year remaining on their sentence, and with no more than two prior convictions, excluding those convicted of drug, public safety, or organized crime offenses, can be admitted to Somang Correctional Institution, subject to selection by the Ministry of Justice. Kim, originally a Protestant, reportedly decided to enter the facility following recommendations from those around him.

On May 9 last year, Kim was involved in a hit-and-run accident after crossing the centerline and colliding with an oncoming taxi in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Following the accident, Kim's manager impersonated him by wearing his clothes and surrendered to the police. Additionally, a director named Jeon swallowed and destroyed the memory card from Kim's vehicle's black box.

In April, during the appellate court's sentencing hearing, Kim received the same sentence as the first trial: two years and six months in prison. Although he appealed the decision, he withdrew his appeal in May, finalizing the sentence of two years and six months.

Reported by Kim Ji-won, TenAsia one@tenasia.co.kr