Despite Taking Away 'Player Yoo Yeonsu's Career' Due to Drunk Driving... "4 Years Imprisonment Is Excessive" Appeal

by Heo Midam

Published 31 Jan.2024 13:53(KST)

Updated 31 Jan.2024 14:01(KST)

Prosecution Appeals: "Cannot Be Forgiven by the Victims"

A man in his 30s who caused the end of goalkeeper Yoo Yeon-su's (26) career at Jeju United by causing a traffic accident while driving under the influence has appealed the first trial verdict.

On the 31st, the Jeju District Court announced that Mr. A, in his 30s, who was sentenced to four years in prison and detained in court in the first trial on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (dangerous driving causing injury) and sexual assault, submitted an appeal the day before. It appears that Mr. A appealed on the grounds that the sentence was too harsh. This is five days after Mr. A was sentenced to four years in prison in the first trial on the 25th.

The retirement ceremony of player Yoo Yeon-su held last November at Jeju Seogwipo World Cup Stadium. [Image provided by Jeju United]

The Jeju District Prosecutors' Office, which had requested a five-year prison sentence in the first trial, also appealed on the same day. The prosecution stated, "Considering that the defendant, while intoxicated, was speeding and collided with the victim's vehicle injuring five people, and that this accident caused a promising player to suffer permanent injuries such as paralysis of the lower body leading to retirement, that this is a repeat offense of drunk driving and a serious sexual crime was also committed, and that the victims have not forgiven him, we seek a harsher sentence."

Mr. A is accused of driving a car exceeding the speed limit in a state of intoxication with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.117%, which is above the license cancellation threshold, at around 5:40 a.m. on October 18, 2022, at Gasiri Intersection in Pyoseon-myeon, Seogwipo City, and colliding with another vehicle, injuring five occupants. The victim vehicle was carrying then Jeju United goalkeepers Kim Dong-jun, Yoo Yeon-su, Lim Jun-seop, and trainers.

Among them, Yoo Yeon-su was seriously injured and underwent emergency surgery but suffered fatal injuries including paralysis of the lower body. Yoo Yeon-su devoted nearly a year to rehabilitation but ultimately left the field at the young age of 25 in November last year. Additionally, Mr. A is also accused of sexually assaulting a woman who was unable to resist on January 15 of last year.

Earlier, the first trial court stated, "The defendant's crime is serious as he caused an accident while driving under the influence. His blood alcohol concentration was high, and he inflicted serious injuries on victim Mr. Yoo, causing him to retire from professional football, thereby causing irreparable pain to the victims."

It added, "Only one traffic accident victim reached a settlement, while the others petitioned for severe punishment and refused to accept the criminal deposit. The defendant also has a prior record of drunk driving. However, the sentence considered the defendant’s admission of guilt and remorse, and the fact that the vehicle was covered by comprehensive insurance which supported medical expenses."

After the first trial verdict, Yoo Yeon-su’s mother expressed her grievance, saying, "The defendant did not even apologize to us in court. Our son has to live disabled for life, but Mr. A will serve four years in prison and then return to normal life."