'Drinking Hit-and-Run'Kim Ho-joong will be released from bail on September 30th
Aug 26, 2024
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Judge Choi Min-hye of the Seoul Central District Court on the 26th set the date for Kim Ho-joong's bail interrogation at 10 a.m. on September 30.
Usually, the court decides whether to grant bail after the interrogation process, so Kim Ho-joong is expected to remain in custody until at least this day.
September 30 is also the date of the final hearing on Kim Ho-joong. On this day, the prosecution will seek a sentence for Kim Ho-joong, and Kim Ho-joong will make a closing argument. After that, the court designates a sentencing date, which could lead to a first trial as early as the end of October.
Kim Ho-joong is also accused of driving under the influence of alcohol in Apgujeong-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul at around 11:40 p.m. on May 9, crashing into a taxi on the other side of the road and running away, and urging his agency's manager, Jang, to surrender false information. Lee Kwang-deuk, CEO of his agency, Thinking Entertainment, and former head of the headquarters are accused of helping Kim Ho-joong escape by damaging black box videos.
The prosecution indicted Kim Ho-joong on charges of non-action and criminal escape after the accident under the Road Traffic Act (Dangerous Driving Injuries, Escape Injuries) Act on the aggravated punishment of specific crimes. However, since Kim Ho-joong turned himself in 17 hours after the accident and was investigated, he was not charged with drunk driving because he could not specify the exact drinking level with the Weedmark formula.
At the second hearing held on the 19th, Kim Ho-joong admitted all charges. He also added that he succeeded in reaching an agreement with the victim. The victim also submitted a petition to the court appealing for Kim Ho-joong's leniency. As the agreement with the victim is an important sentencing factor, attention is being paid to whether Kim Ho-joong can be released.
Reporter Baek Ji-eun silk781220@sportschosun.com
silk781220@sportschosun.com
