Singer Lee Ru, Accused of 'Drinking and Driver Swap,' Appeals Citing "Caring for Mother with Dementia"

First Trial: 6 Months Imprisonment with 1 Year Probation, 100,000 KRW Fine
Prosecution Seeks 1 Year Imprisonment and 100,000 KRW Fine

Singer Iru (real name Jo Seong-hyun), who was sentenced to a suspended prison term in the first trial for switching drivers with a passenger after being caught driving under the influence, appealed for leniency at the first hearing of the appeal trial, saying, "Please consider that I am taking care of my mother who has dementia."

The Criminal Division 2-2 of the Seoul Western District Court (Presiding Judges Jeong Mun-seong, Lee Soon-hyung, and Lee Joo-hyun) held the first hearing on the 7th afternoon for Iru, who was indicted on charges of aiding and abetting the concealment of a criminal, aiding and abetting drunk driving, drunk driving, and speeding. On that day, Iru entered the courtroom without responding to reporters' questions.

Singer Lee Ru (real name Jo Seong-hyun), who was sentenced to a suspended prison term in the first trial on charges including drunk driving and 'driver swapping,' appeared at the first appeal trial held on the 7th at the Seoul Western District Court in Mapo-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Previously, the first trial sentenced Iru to six months in prison, suspended for one year, and a fine of 100,000 won. The prosecution, which had requested one year in prison and a fine of 100,000 won, appealed the first trial verdict. At the appeal trial, the prosecution pointed out, "The defendant’s act of aiding and abetting the concealment of a criminal is a serious crime that disrupts the criminal justice order and caused considerable confusion in the investigation," adding, "The defendant committed drunk driving and aiding and abetting concealment of a criminal again within three months, and caused an accident while driving over the speed limit on Gangbyeonbuk-ro." They further argued, "Despite multiple aggravating factors, the sentence given by the original court is excessively light," and requested, "Please overturn the original sentence and impose one year in prison and a fine of 100,000 won."

In response, Iru’s defense attorney argued, "The defendant is a first-time offender and has confessed to all the facts of the crime," adding, "He debuted as a singer in 2005 and has promoted Korea’s prestige as a leading figure of K-pop in Indonesia. In 2016, he also worked as an actor, showing clear social ties. It is difficult to see the defendant as having a risk of recidivism." The attorney continued, "The defendant’s mother has been suffering from severe dementia for 5 to 6 years and relies heavily on her son, the defendant," appealing, "Please consider the defendant’s devoted care for his mother and dismiss the prosecution’s appeal."

In his final statement, Iru bowed his head and said, "As someone who appears in the media, I sincerely apologize for committing a crime that should not have been committed," and added, "I will strive to live a life without wrongdoing from now on."

Iru is accused of switching drivers with a passenger, Park, known as a female professional golfer, after being caught by the police while driving under the influence following drinking at a restaurant in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, in September 2022. During the police investigation, he denied his drunk driving charge by claiming Park was driving, and Park also testified that she was driving. However, during the prosecution’s investigation, evidence emerged that Iru agreed to Park’s proposal to switch drivers to cover up drunk driving.

Separately, in December of the same year, Iru is also accused of letting an acquaintance, A, drive his vehicle while intoxicated after drinking together, and on the same day, driving another acquaintance B’s vehicle himself at over 180 km/h on Gangbyeonbuk-ro, crashing into a guardrail. His blood alcohol concentration at the time was reportedly 0.075%, which is the level for license suspension.

Iru is the son of singer Tae Jin-ah (real name Jo Bang-heon). He debuted as a singer in 2005 and released hit songs such as "Kkaman Angyeong" and "Huinnun." His mother, Lee Ok-hyeong, who is Tae Jin-ah’s wife, is currently suffering from severe dementia. The sentencing for Iru’s appeal trial is scheduled for the 26th.

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