Kim Ho Joong, a trot singer, has decided not to appeal his two-and-a-half-year prison sentence stemming from a DUI hit-and-run case, making the ruling final. The announcement came from his fan café on May 15, stating, “After a long period of deep consideration, Kim Ho Joong has made the final decision to forgo an appeal.”
Kim faced charges related to dangerous driving and failing to report an accident after hitting a taxi on May 9, 2023, in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul. Following the incident, he turned himself in to the police 17 hours later. Despite initially denying driving under the influence, he later admitted to it after evidence surfaced.
Though his legal team had filed a notice of appeal, Kim ultimately chose to withdraw and accept the original sentence after consultations with legal experts. His camp stated, “After multiple in-depth discussions with various legal experts, including a major law firm, and reviewing every possible option, this decision was made.”
Following the filing of the appeal, a public defender was appointed, leading to speculation regarding Kim’s financial situation. However, his representatives clarified, “He had retained a private lawyer who continued to meet and consult with him even after the second trial. The decision to cancel the appeal was ultimately the artist’s own.” They also emphasized that any claims of economic hardship were defamatory.
In his final remarks during the appeal, Kim Ho Joong expressed, “While detained at the Seoul Detention Center, I reflected deeply on my wrongdoings. I will use this incident as a turning point to live a different life moving forward.”
