'Drunk Driving and Driver Switch' Rapper Jang Yongjun Sentenced to Probation in First Trial

Future United Party Rep. Jang Je-won's Son, Rapper Noel
Sentenced to 1 Year 6 Months in Prison with 2 Years Probation

Rapper Jang Yong-jun, who was indicted on charges of drunk driving and driver substitution, is heading to the sentencing hearing held at the Western District Court in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 2nd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] Jang Yong-jun (20, stage name Noel), the son of Jeong Je-won, a member of the Future United Party, who is accused of 'driver substitution' after being caught drunk driving, was sentenced to a suspended prison term in court.

On the 2nd, Judge Kwon Kyung-sun of the Seoul Western District Court Criminal Division 11 sentenced Jang to 1 year and 6 months in prison with a 2-year suspension at the sentencing trial. On the early morning of September 7 last year, Jang was driving under the influence near Mapo-gu, Seoul, when he collided with a motorcycle. The blood alcohol concentration test showed Jang's BAC was 0.12%, which is above the license cancellation level (0.08% or higher). Jang was not injured in the accident, and the victim sustained minor injuries. Jang is also accused of contacting an acquaintance A (29) immediately after the accident to attempt to 'substitute the driver' or falsely report to the insurance company that A was driving when the accident occurred.

Judge Kwon stated, "He caused a traffic accident while intoxicated and tried to evade responsibility for the accident. The responsibility for disrupting the state's judicial system is not light." He added, "However, considering that the victim's injuries were not severe and that the victim requested leniency for the defendant," explaining the sentencing rationale.

Earlier, 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), instigation of escape of a criminal, and violation of the Special Act on the Prevention of Insurance Fraud. At the previous sentencing hearing, the prosecution requested a prison term of 1 year and 6 months, stating, "Although Jang is a first-time offender and has reached a settlement with the victim, please consider the high level of intoxication and the attempt to conceal the actual driver."

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