Kim Ho-joong's drunken hit-and-run jail time, judicial judgment, not fake news...KBS responds to fandom protest
Jun 20, 2025
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KBS recently answered a petition submitted by Kim Ho-joong's fan club 'People who love Kim Ho-joong'.
KBS said "I could see the fans' deep affection and concern for Kim Ho-joong. In addition, I could understand the fans' concerns and wishes about the trial process and media coverage. I was able to learn about the various situations you mentioned to the fan club, the efforts of Kim Ho-joong, and the social contribution" he said.
Then "We have a responsibility to report accurately and in a balanced manner based on objective facts, without being biased toward a specific person or point of view. Regarding Kim Ho-joong, there were first and second trials, and I know that the appeals court was finalized as Kim Ho-joong recently gave up his appeal to the Supreme Court. KBS respects these judicial procedures and decisions."
Then "We are listening to the viewer petition made with the consent of more than 1,000 people with an open attitude." As a public broadcaster, we will avoid provocative expressions or speculative reports and report them from a balanced perspective," he stressed.
On the 14th of last month, Kim Ho-joong's fandom filed a petition saying that Kim Ho-joong was an unfair victim.
Fans doubted Kim Ho-joong, believing only what he said in the media, but they learned the truth during the appeal process. Kim Ho-joong did not drink and did not drive drunk, and his gait was originally staggered due to dam instability, a chronic ankle accompanied by congenital malformations and arthritis. The cause of the accident was negligence due to the manipulation of mobile phones, not drinking alcohol.
"Kim Ho-joong is being arrested without receiving treatment even in a serious situation where he has to undergo ankle surgery due to harsh criticism and public opinion trials due to his fake and speculative articles made by the media. Please listen to him again and reveal the truth." he insisted.
Kim Ho-joong is accused of driving drunk on a road in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, at around 11:40 p.m. on May 9 last year and running away after hitting a taxi on the opposite road. The first trial court sentenced him to two and a half years in prison on charges of violating the law on aggravated punishment for specific crimes (hazardous driving injuries, escape injuries), violating the Road Traffic Act (not taken after the accident), and escaping teachers. Kim Ho-joong appealed, denying both the drunk driving method and the charge of the fugitive teacher, but the second trial court rejected it. Kim Ho-joong appealed, but eventually gave up his appeal on the 19th of last month. As a result, the sentence of two and a half years in prison was confirmed. Since Kim Ho-joong has been under arrest since May last year, he is expected to be released from prison in November next year if he serves all of his sentences. In this case, KBS put Kim Ho-joong on the banned list.
silk781220@sportschosun.com
