"Feeling Bad," University Professor Threatens Neighbor with Weapon After Drunk Driving

Court Sentences 5 Million Won Fine

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] A university professor who was charged with threatening a neighbor with a weapon after a dispute during parking following drunk driving was sentenced to the same fine in the appellate court as in the original trial.

The Seoul Western District Court Criminal Appeal Division 1-3 (Presiding Judge Jeong Gyesun) announced on the 28th that it sentenced Mr. A (64), who was charged with violating the Road Traffic Act (drunk driving) and special intimidation, to a fine of 5 million won, the same as the first trial. Mr. A is a professor at a university in Seoul.

The court stated, "There have been no special circumstances or changes in conditions since the original verdict," and pointed out, "Considering the blood alcohol concentration was 0.1%, which is quite high, and that the defendant threatened the victim with a weapon, the original sentencing does not seem excessively harsh."

However, the court explained the reasons for sentencing, saying, "There are some mitigating circumstances regarding the circumstances of the drunk driving and the short driving distance, the victim and defendant reached an amicable agreement, and the defendant is a first-time offender."

Mr. A was charged with driving himself after calling a designated driver while intoxicated with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.1% on or around November 16, 2020, arriving at his home in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, and then taking the wheel to park.

He was also charged with threatening a neighbor, Mr. B, by coming out of his apartment’s kitchen holding a weapon and saying "I am upset" after a minor collision and dispute occurred during parking.

The first trial court ruled that "the defendant’s drunk driving in a private car does not constitute emergency escape or justifiable act," found all charges against Mr. A guilty, and sentenced him to a fine of 5 million won.

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