Kim Ho-joong Submits Third Apology Letter Ahead of Sentencing for Drunk Hit-and-Run Case
Nov 11, 2024
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According to the legal community on the 11th, Kim Ho-joong submitted a third letter of apology to the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Chamber 26 (Judge Choi Min-hye) on the 28th of last month.
Kim Ho-joong has submitted his third letter of apology following Sept. 5 and Oct. 16.
The letter of apology was written about two weeks after the second submission of the letter of apology and about two weeks before the first trial.
In September, prosecutors demanded a three-and-a-half-year prison term in the final trial of Kim Ho-joong, who was indicted on charges of violating the law on the aggravated punishment of certain crimes (hazardous driving injuries, running away injuries), non-action after accidents under the Road Traffic Act, and criminal escape teachers.
At the time, Kim Ho-joong's lawyer said in his closing argument that `Kim Ho-joong deeply reflects on all his actions in this case. He is also determined to receive punishment equivalent to the crime. However, as some media reports say, it is hard to say that he drank more than three bottles of soju alone and drove in a state of insanity."
Please consider that you have agreed with the victim and do not want punishment. As a well-known entertainer, Kim Ho-joong has already received harsh punishments from the public and public. Please make the judgment as lenient as possible as the law allows."
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However, the prosecution demanded a three-and-a-half-year prison term, citing systematic law enforcement and causing public resentment.
In his final statement, Kim Ho-joong said, `I apologize to the victim and will reflect on myself. Now that I've come to this time, I regret my choice that day even more. I will try to live a life that does not repeat the same mistakes rather than a life that I do well ten times. I'll do my best" he said.
In addition, in the interrogation of the bail application filed by Kim Ho-joong earlier on the day ," the defendant continues to be imprisoned in pain due to worsening ankle pain he has suffered for a long time. I tried to relieve my symptoms through surgery, but I couldn't because of my schedule"It is not a first-time offender and a habitual offender, but there is no fear of destroying evidence. He stressed that he is well-known to the public, so he does not have to worry about running away.
In his final statement, Kim Ho-joong said, `I apologize to the victim and will reflect on myself. Now that I've come this far, I regret my choice even more that day"I will try not to repeat the same mistakes rather than doing well ten times. I had time to reflect while thinking a lot in the detention center. I'll do my best," he bowed his head.
Meanwhile, Kim Ho-joong is accused of drinking and driving on the road in Sinsa-dong, Seoul, at around 11:40 p.m. on May 9, crashing into a taxi, and making his manager turn himself in instead. Although he admitted to drinking alcohol, he did not have a record because he attended the police late after fleeing, and he did not apply the drunk driving charge because he believed it was difficult to specify the drinking level only by reverse calculation over time.
narusi@sportschosun.com
