Prosecution Seeks 1 Year 6 Months Prison for Chungnam Provincial Assembly Member Jimin-gyu for Refusing Breathalyzer Test

Published 22 Mar.2024 13:37(KST)

Ji Councilor Appeals for Leniency, Saying "I Reflect on Causing Controversy"

Jimin Kyu, Chungnam Provincial Council Member / Chungnam Provincial Council

The prosecution requested a prison sentence for Ji Mingyu, a member of the Chungnam Provincial Assembly, who was brought to trial on charges of refusing a breathalyzer test after causing a traffic accident.

On the 22nd, at the first trial for Ji at the Cheonan Branch of the Daejeon District Court, Criminal Division 5 (Judge Ryu Bonggeun presiding), the prosecution asked the court to sentence him to 1 year and 6 months in prison for violating the Road Traffic Act (refusal to take a breathalyzer test).

Ji is accused of driving on a road in Buldang-dong, Cheonan, at around 12:15 a.m. on October 24 last year, hitting a fence causing approximately 3 million won in damages, and refusing to comply with a breathalyzer test requested by police officers who arrived at the scene after receiving a report on the same day.

Ji admitted all charges and submitted a letter of apology.

Ji’s defense attorney stated, "The defendant is a first-time offender with no prior record and has visited the police station to apologize. The damaged fence has also been fully repaired. Considering his deep remorse, we ask for leniency."

Ji appealed, saying, "My wrongdoing has caused great pain to my family and acquaintances. I regret causing trouble by acting against the law and will ensure that such an incident never happens again."

The court is scheduled to deliver the first trial verdict for Ji on April 16.

Elected officials lose their elected status if they are sentenced to imprisonment with labor or higher, or if they are fined 1 million won or more for violating the Public Official Election Act.