Trot singer Kim Ho Joong (aged 33), who is under investigation for a hit-and-run incident, denied allegations of drunk driving. However, police have reportedly received forensic results from the National Forensic Service indicating that Kim Ho Joong had consumed alcohol before the accident. 

The police are investigating potential organized concealment by Kim Ho Joong's agency and have expanded the investigation. It has also been confirmed that Kim Ho Joong was accompanied by a former rapper at an entertainment bar before the accident.

According to a comprehensive report by the DongA Ilbo on May 17, police have uncovered evidence suggesting that Kim Ho Joong's agency members engaged in organized actions to destroy evidence after the accident. They are currently investigating charges of obstruction of justice and evidence destruction. If these are proven, Kim Ho Joong could face up to five years in prison.

Specifically, police received a report from the National Forensic Service on the afternoon of May 17, stating that Kim Ho Joong's urine test indicated alcohol consumption before the accident. Given that approximately 20 hours had passed since the accident before the urine sample was collected, the presence of alcohol metabolites above the detection threshold suggests drinking before the accident.

At present, police have obtained a statement from Lee Kwang Duk, the CEO of Kim Ho Joong’s agency, 'Think Entertainment,' indicating that he instructed a manager to swap clothes with Kim Ho Joong and turn himself in on the singer's behalf. Investigations revealed that one of Kim Ho Joong’s two managers took him to a hotel in Guri, Gyeonggi Province, immediately after the accident, while the other manager removed and purposely damaged the memory card from Kim Ho Joong's car's black box (dashcam).

The hotel where Kim Ho Joong stayed is known as a 'Content Hotel,' featuring a narrow, secluded entrance, and was booked under the manager’s name. Kim Ho Joong reportedly checked out approximately an hour earlier than the scheduled time of 11 AM.

Police believe that the CEO and managers systematically destroyed evidence and concealed Kim Ho Joong’s crime. They are analyzing materials seized from the agency’s office and the CEO’s residence, as well as CCTV footage from the entertainment bar.

It was also found that a famous rapper was with Kim Ho Joong and agency members at the bar that night. The police plan to call the rapper as a witness to verify whether Kim Ho Joong drank alcohol.

Kim Ho Joong has appointed two lawyers to handle the police investigation. One of them is Jo Nam Kwan, who served as the acting Prosecutor General when President Yoon Suk Yeol was suspended during his term as Prosecutor General due to a conflict with former Justice Minister Choo Mi Ae. Jo Nam Kwan has held positions such as the Director of the Prosecutor's Office at the Ministry of Justice and Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office.

Meanwhile, Kim Ho plans to proceed with the "Tvarotti Classic Arena Tour" concert in Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do, on the 18th and 19th as scheduled. During the concert on the 18th, Kim Ho Joong intends to address the hit-and-run allegations with his fans.

Korean netizens commented:

"He definitely drank. That's why he fled."

"He's so guilty."

"They definitely concealed his crime because of the concert venue fees and refunds."

"This is legendary."

"I hope he gets punished."

"He did such a trashy thing that even the police are actually working and doing their job."

"I hope they severely punish him."

"Wow, this is so legendary what he did."

"Let's go to jail."

"Why is he lying so much?"

"It's over for him."

SEE ALSO: Police seek a search warrant as Kim Ho Joong's hit-and-run case intensifies