Prosecutors Demand 1 Year and 6 Months Imprisonment for Rapper Jang Yong-jun on Charges of Drunk Driving and Driver Swapping

Rapper Jang Yong-jun, the son of Jang Je-won, a member of the Future United Party, is entering the Seoul Western District Court in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 7th for his second trial on charges including drunk driving and 'driver substitution.'
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] The prosecution has requested the court to sentence rapper Jang Yong-jun (20, stage name 'Noel'), who is accused of attempting to switch drivers after causing an accident while driving under the influence, to imprisonment.

On the 7th, at the Seoul Western District Court Criminal Division 11 presided over by Judge Kwon Kyung-sun, the prosecution demanded a prison sentence of 1 year and 6 months for Jang during his final trial.

The prosecution stated, "Although Jang is a first-time offender and has reached a settlement with the victim, considering the high blood alcohol level and the attempt to conceal the actual driver, we ask for leniency accordingly."

Jang's defense argued, "Jang voluntarily surrendered before the police investigation tightened and corrected the facts," adding, "He also truthfully informed the insurance company employee, so no insurance fraud damage occurred." They further stated, "He has no prior criminal record and has settled with the victim." Jang read a prepared letter of apology, saying, "I am sorry to those affected by the accident, and I reflect on what could have happened if I had not driven under the influence."

Jang is the son of Jang Je-won, a member of the Future United Party. He is accused of driving under the influence and colliding with a motorcycle on a road near Gwangheungchang Station on Seoul Subway Line 6 in Mapo-gu, Seoul, between 2 and 3 a.m. on September 7 last year. At the time, the police breathalyzer test showed Jang's blood alcohol concentration was 0.12%, which is above the license cancellation level (0.08% or higher). Jang was not injured in the accident, while the victim sustained minor injuries.

Jang is also accused of contacting an acquaintance, A (29), immediately after the accident to attempt a 'driver switch' or falsely reporting to the insurance company that A was driving when the accident occurred.

The prosecution indicted Jang without detention in January on charges including violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (dangerous driving causing injury), violation of the Road Traffic Act (drunk driving), aiding a criminal, and violation of the Special Act on the Prevention of Insurance Fraud.

Jang's sentencing trial is scheduled for the morning of the 2nd of next month.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.