Shin Hye-sung Charged with Refusing Alcohol Test, Suspended Prison Sentence in First Trial

by Kong Byeongseon

Published 20 Apr.2023 16:52(KST)

Shin Hye-sung (real name Jung Pil-gyo, 44), a member of the group Shinhwa, who is accused of driving another person's vehicle and refusing a police alcohol test, was sentenced to a suspended prison term in the first trial.

Shinhwa member Shin Hye-sung, who was prosecuted on charges of falling asleep while driving someone else's car and refusing a breathalyzer test, is heading to a vehicle after the sentencing trial held on the afternoon of the 20th at the Eastern District Court in Songpa-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 20th, Judge Lee Min-ji of the Seoul Eastern District Court Criminal Division 4 sentenced Shin, who was indicted for refusal of alcohol testing and illegal use of a vehicle under the Road Traffic Act, to six months in prison with a one-year suspension.

The court stated, "Obstructing an alcohol test is inherently a serious offense, and Shin has a prior record of punishment for drunk driving," but added, "He admitted to the crime, showed remorse, and no human or property damage occurred due to the incident," as the reason for the sentence.

Wearing a hat in court that day, Shin responded to reporters asking about his feelings by saying, "I am sorry."

Shin is accused of drinking at a restaurant in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul on October 10 last year and driving another person's vehicle home early the next morning. He fell asleep on the Tancheon 2 Bridge in Songpa-gu and refused the alcohol test conducted by the police who responded to the report. The police arrested Shin on the spot.

The police also investigated theft charges but determined there was no intent to steal the vehicle and applied charges for illegal use of a vehicle. It was found that Shin drove approximately 10 km from Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do to Jamsil, Seoul, while heavily intoxicated.