Singer Kim Ho-joong’s Final Words as He Is Taken Into Custody: “I’m Sorry”
Singer Kim Ho-joong and his agency officials have been arrested and handed over to the prosecution on charges of hit-and-run driving while under the influence.
On the morning of the 31st, the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul sent Kim Ho-joong to the prosecution on charges of drunk driving and other offenses. At 8 a.m., Kim appeared wearing a white shirt and suit, his face covered with a mask. In response to reporters’ questions, he only said, “I’m sorry. I will speak after this is over,” before boarding the transport vehicle.
Agency CEO and Director Also Arrested
The agency’s CEO, Lee Gwang-deuk, who allegedly instructed Kim Ho-joong’s manager to make a false confession, and the agency’s director, Jeon, who removed the black box memory card from Kim Ho-joong’s vehicle, have also been detained on charges of aiding and abetting and evidence tampering. Kim Ho-joong’s manager was sent to the prosecution without being detained.
Police Investigation and Additional Charges
During the application for Kim Ho-joong’s arrest warrant, the police could not determine his blood alcohol concentration, so they initially did not charge him with drunk driving. About 17 hours after the accident, when Kim appeared at the police station, his alcohol test came back negative. However, during a later investigation, Kim admitted to having consumed about ten shots of soju. The police, through CCTV footage and statements from witnesses, determined that Kim had consumed at least three bottles of soju at the time of the accident.
Using the Widmark formula, which estimates blood alcohol concentration based on the type of alcohol consumed and body weight, the police concluded that Kim’s blood alcohol concentration was above 0.03% at the time of the accident and added the charge of drunk driving.
Details of the Accident and Police Focused Investigation
On the 9th, Kim Ho-joong hit a taxi in the opposite lane in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and fled the scene. Initially denying the incident, he eventually admitted to driving under the influence. With suspicions of false confession, black box memory damage, and other evidence tampering, the police arrested Kim on the 24th. The agency’s CEO and director were also detained on charges of aiding and abetting and evidence tampering.
The police are currently investigating the exact amount of alcohol Kim consumed at the time of the accident and his involvement in the cover-up.
Kim Ho-joong, Broadcast Suspension, and Image Damage
As a result of this incident, Kim Ho-joong has been suspended from broadcasting by KBS. Additionally, his alma mater has removed the signboard of the ‘Tbarotti House,’ a shelter named after his nickname, ‘Tbarotti’ (a combination of Trot and Pavarotti). All associations with Kim Ho-joong are being erased, making it virtually impossible for him to resume activities in the Korean music industry.
