Prosecutors Seek Three-Year Prison Sentence for Man in His 70s Who Drove Into Crowd at Kkebi Market, Leaving 12 Dead or Injured
by Lee Jiye
Published 14 Apr.2026 14:53(KST)
"Consideration Given to First-Time Offender Status and Victim Settlements"
Diagnosed with Early-Stage Alzheimer's After the Accident
Prosecutors have requested a prison sentence for a man in his 70s who injured 12 people by driving into a crowd at Kkebi Market in Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul.
At around 4:18 PM on December 31, 2024, in Kkaebi Market, Mokdong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, a sedan driven by a man in his 70s rushed forward, causing multiple injuries. Photo by Yonhap News
원본보기 아이콘On April 14, at a hearing presided over by Judge Seo Ji-won of the Criminal Division 5 of the Seoul Southern District Court, the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office asked the court to sentence Kim, a man in his 70s indicted for causing death and injury under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Settlement of Traffic Accidents, to three years in prison.
According to prosecutors, Kim was indicted and detained on charges of driving a passenger car at 76 km/h at Kkebi Market in Mok-dong on December 31, 2024, ramming into a fruit store, killing one person and injuring 11 others.
The prosecution explained, "One person died and several others were injured in this traffic accident," but also noted, "We took into consideration the fact that the defendant is a first-time offender and has made efforts to reach settlements with most of the victims." A prison sentence differs from imprisonment with labor in that it involves confinement to a correctional facility but does not impose compulsory labor.
Kim's attorney stated, "He deeply apologizes to the victims," and appealed to the court for leniency, noting, "There is little realistic risk of reoffending, and he is in a physically and mentally weakened state due to illness."
Immediately after the accident, Kim was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's disease during a thorough medical examination. He was subsequently admitted to a care facility and has been investigated without detention.
The first trial verdict for Kim is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on April 23.
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