Eru, who appealed for leniency for “an elderly mother with dementia,” also avoided arrest at the appeals court… Prosecutor's appeal dismissed

Singer Eru (41, real name Cho Seong-hyun) avoided arrest even at the appeal trial.

At 10 a.m. on the 26th, the Seoul Western District Court's 2-2 Criminal Division (Presiding Judge Lee Hyun-woo) held an appeal hearing for Iru, who was charged with aiding and abetting the escape of a criminal, drunk driving and speeding under the Road Traffic Act. On this day, the court dismissed the prosecution's appeal and upheld the original trial's sentence of six months in prison and one year of probation.

After the sentencing, Eru briefly said "I'm sorry" to reporters and left the court in a car.

Eru is accused of switching drivers with his passenger, Park, who is known to be a professional golfer, even though he drove the car while drunk in September 2022.

During the police investigation, he denied the charge of drunk driving, claiming that Mr. Park was the driver. Mr. Park also stated that he was the driver, but during the prosecution investigation, it was revealed that this was not true.

In response to this, the first trial court sentenced Eru to six months in prison, one year of probation, and a fine of 100,000 won in June last year. The prosecution, dissatisfied with the trial court's ruling, appealed to seek a more severe sentence.

In the appeal trial held on the 7th, the prosecution requested a one-year prison sentence and a fine of 100,000 won, saying, "The defendant's act of helping the criminal escape was a serious crime that disrupted the criminal justice order and caused considerable confusion in the investigation."

Eru's lawyer said, "The defendant is a first-time offender and has confessed to all of his crimes. The defendant's mother has been suffering from severe dementia for 5 to 6 years, and she relies heavily on her son, the defendant. He is caring for his mother with utmost sincerity." “Please take a look and dismiss the prosecution’s appeal,” he appealed.

Iru said, “I am sorry for committing a sin that I should not have committed as a person appearing in the media,” and added, “I will make sure that I can live a life without mistakes in the future.”

Choi Ji-ye, Ten Asia Reporter wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr