Shin Hye-sung Faces Additional Charge of 'Illegal Use of Vehicle' for Refusing Breathalyzer Test

Police to Decide on Referral After Legal Review

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] The police are conducting additional investigations on Shin Hyesung, a member of the group Shinhwa, who is suspected of driving another person's vehicle while intoxicated and refusing a breathalyzer test, on charges of illegal use of a vehicle.

On the 13th, the Songpa Police Station in Seoul announced that, in addition to charges of refusing a breathalyzer test and vehicle theft, they have recognized the charge of illegal use of a vehicle and are investigating. Illegal use of a vehicle refers to temporarily using another person's vehicle without the owner's consent and is punishable by up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 5 million won.

The police stated that on the 11th, Shin was heavily intoxicated when leaving a restaurant in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and sat in the front passenger seat of a vehicle driven by a designated driver, while another person in the group sat in the back seat as they traveled to Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do.

Afterward, the designated driver got off and left, and Shin was found to have driven the vehicle himself from a convenience store to a road in Jamsil-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul.

Shin's agency, Liveworks Company, initially stated that he was returning home with the key handed over by the valet parking staff and fell asleep while the vehicle was stopped on the road. However, controversy arose over this statement after it was confirmed that the parking staff had already left work.

The police plan to comprehensively review the case legally once the investigation is complete and decide whether to forward the case for prosecution.

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