‘Drunk Driving Hit-and-Run Charge’ Kim Ho-jung Applies for Bail in Court

Trot singer Kim Ho-jung (32), who was indicted for a hit-and-run while driving under the influence, has requested the court to allow him to stand trial without detention.

Trot singer Kim Ho-jung. [Photo by Yonhap News]

According to the legal community on the 23rd, Kim applied for bail to Judge Choi Min-hye of the Criminal Division 26 at the Seoul Central District Court, who is presiding over the case, on the 21st. Bail is a system where the defendant is released upon paying a court-set bond and promising to attend the trial and fulfill other conditions.

At the second trial on the 19th, Kim’s side stated, “We fully admit to the charges” and revealed that they have reached a settlement with the victim of the drunk driving accident.

The court plans to hold a final hearing on the 30th of next month. During the final hearing, the prosecution will present its sentencing recommendation, followed by the defendant’s last statement, after which the court will set the date for the verdict.

Kim was arrested and indicted for driving under the influence on the night of May 9 at around 11:44 p.m. in Apgujeong-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. He crossed the center line while driving after drinking, collided with a taxi on the opposite side of the road, fled the scene, and had his manager turn himself in on his behalf. Kim initially denied drunk driving but admitted to the crime ten days after the accident.

However, since it is difficult to determine the exact blood alcohol level based solely on back-calculation, the prosecution indicted Kim only on charges of causing injury by dangerous driving under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, hit-and-run causing injury, failure to take measures after an accident under the Road Traffic Act, and aiding the escape of a criminal.

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