Kim Ho-joong, who issued 130 letters of apology, was sentenced to an appeal today (25th)…Will my sentence be commuted
Apr 25, 2025
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On the 25th, the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Appeals Department 5-3 will hold an appeal hearing for Kim Ho-joong, who was indicted on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (Dangerous Driving Damage).
Kim Ho-joong was arrested and charged with violating the central line while drinking and driving on a road in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, at around 11:45 p.m. on May 9 last year, causing a contact accident with a taxi on the other side of the road and fleeing.
Kim Ho-joong, who denied drunk driving immediately after the accident, admitted to the crime 10 days after the accident. However, the prosecution excluded the charge of drunk driving at the prosecution stage because it was difficult to determine the drinking level.
In a final hearing held in September, the prosecution raised public resentment by committing serious and systematic acts of obstruction of justice," he said, asking the court to sentence Kim Ho-joong to three and a half years in prison.
The court belatedly admitted the crime and its responsibility and sentenced the victim to two and a half years in prison considering the agreement, including paying 60 million won to the victim and agreeing to it. However, Kim Ho-joong immediately submitted an appeal.
The first trial court sentenced Kim Ho-joong to two and a half years in prison in November last year. At that time, Kim Ho-joong was regretting and reflecting in his final statement of the final trial. I won't repeat the same mistake, I'll keep my head up and live straight," he bowed his head.
In preparation for the appeal trial, Kim Ho-joong reportedly submitted a 100-page letter of apology to the court, followed by an additional 30-page letter of apology ahead of the sentence. Attention is focusing on how the sincerity of reflection will affect the sentence.
narusi@sportschosun.com
