Drunk Driver Who Caused the Death of Taiwanese Student Late Jeong Yi-rin Sentenced to 8 Years in Second Trial

In November last year, Taiwanese exchange student the late Jeong Yirin, who died at a crosswalk in Gangnam-gu, Seoul due to a drunk driving vehicle / Photo by Jeong Yirin's family and friends

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The drunk driver who fatally struck Taiwanese exchange student the late Zheng Yilin (28) last year was sentenced to eight years in prison again in the appellate court.

On the afternoon of the 25th, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Appeals Division 5-2 (Presiding Judge Won Jeongsuk) sentenced the drunk driver A (52), who was charged with reckless driving causing death under the Special Act, to eight years in prison, the same as the first trial.

The court stated, "The victim’s family only wants strict and appropriate punishment and does not seek any money or apology. There is no change in the sentencing conditions that would warrant altering the original sentence," and dismissed A’s appeal.

Earlier, A was prosecuted for drunk driving (blood alcohol concentration 0.079%) on November 6 last year, exceeding the speed limit and violating a traffic signal, fatally striking Taiwanese exchange student the late Zheng Yilin who was crossing a crosswalk on a road in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. This case became widely known after the bereaved family petitioned the Blue House to strengthen drunk driving penalties, which was reported by Taiwanese media.

In court, A pleaded for leniency, claiming that the contact lens he was wearing momentarily shifted sideways, impairing his vision, and that his eye health was poor. The first trial pointed out, "The defendant had been punished twice before for drunk driving but drove under the influence again," and unusually sentenced him to a heavier penalty than the prosecution’s six-year request.

On this day, the parents of the late Zheng Yilin could not attend the appellate trial due to reasons including the COVID-19 situation preventing them from coming to Korea. The late Zheng Yilin’s friend, Park Seongyu (30), met with reporters right after the sentencing and said, "I am very grateful to the court for dismissing the appeal," but also added, "Although eight years in prison may be considered a harsh sentence according to sentencing guidelines, I hope the court raises the sentencing standards in line with the purpose of the Yoon Chang-ho Act to prevent recurrence."

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