'Unlicensed Drunk Driving and Assaulting Police' Jang Yong-jun... Legal Battle Expected in First Trial

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] Rapper Noel and Jang Yongjun, who were prosecuted for refusing to comply with police alcohol testing and assaulting police officers, have signaled a legal battle in their first trial. Previously, Jang had apologized for the related charges and even waived the substantive hearing for the arrest warrant.

On the 19th, at the first trial held at the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 4 under presiding Judge Shin Hyukjae, regarding Jang's charges of unlicensed driving under the Road Traffic Act and obstruction of official duties, Jang's lawyer stated, "There are aspects related to the obstruction of official duties charge that require review to determine if there are matters to contest."

Jang, the son of People Power Party lawmaker Jang Je-won, was involved in a collision while driving a Mercedes-Benz passenger car at the Seongmo Hospital intersection in Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul on September 18. He was arrested on the spot as a suspect for assaulting a police officer by headbutting when he refused the police officer's request for a breathalyzer test.

On this day, the lawyer said, "We have not yet been able to review the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage," and did not disclose a specific stance. The court also set the second trial date for the 17th of next month and concluded the session.

Meanwhile, in 2019, Jang was also prosecuted for driving under the influence and colliding with a motorcycle in Mapo-gu, Seoul, and was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison with a 2-year probation last June.

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