The prosecution continues to seek a 3 years and 6 months in prison sentence for singer Kim Ho Joong (age 33).
On March 19, the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Appeal Division 5-3 held a hearing to decide on the appeal of Kim Ho Joong, who was arrested and indicted on charges of violating the Special Act (dangerous driving causing injury).
The prosecution requested that the appeal be dismissed and the 1st trial sentence of 3 years and 6 months be upheld.
Kim Ho Joong's defense team, however, argued the opposite. They stated that the 1st trial sentence was too severe and asked the court to consider that he had no prior criminal record and had reached an agreement with the victim.
They also denied the allegations made in the media about the "Alcohol loading method to avoid drunk-driving charges" (where a drunk driver drinks more alcohol to interfere with the breathalyzer test), saying it was a misunderstanding and that Kim Ho Joong did not use such tactics.
In his final statement, Kim Ho Joong said, "During my time in Seoul Detention Center, I thoroughly reflected on my mistakes. I have truly made an effort to repent." He promised not to re-offend by driving under the influence, adding, "My crime will never be erased, but I will use this as a turning point to live a different life from now on."
Kim Ho Joong is accused of causing an accident while under the influence of alcohol on May 9 of last year on a road in Gangnam, Seoul. He collided with an oncoming taxi and then fled the scene.
He initially denied driving under the influence but confessed to the crime 10 days later. However, due to the inability to determine his blood alcohol level at the time of the indictment, the drunk driving charge was dropped.
Meanwhile, the court has scheduled the second trial verdict for Kim Ho Joong on the 25th of next month at 2 PM.
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