The singer KIM HO JOONG, who was serving a prison sentence for drunk driving and a hit-and-run, has been released on parole before completing his sentence.
KIM HO JOONG left the Somang Correctional Facility in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, on the morning of June 30. Initially sentenced to a prison term of 2 years and 6 months, his release was scheduled for this coming November, but having passed the Ministry of Justice’s parole review, he benefited from an early release with about 5 months of his sentence remaining.
Many fans and journalists gathered at the scene that day, but KIM HO JOONG left the prison by boarding a vehicle belonging to a manager from his agency, without making any specific statement or greeting. The Somang Correctional Facility, where he was incarcerated, is an establishment that permits a departure by vehicle, allowing KIM HO JOONG to quickly leave the premises through the main gate.
In May 2024, KIM HO JOONG caused a collision with a taxi after crossing the center line while driving under the influence in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Subsequently, he provoked a major social scandal by attempting an organized cover-up of the crime with officials from his agency, notably by trying to swap drivers and removing the black box memory card.
KIM HO JOONG, who completely denied being intoxicated at the beginning of the case, confessed to the facts ten days later, and both the court of first instance and the appeals court sentenced him to a firm prison term of 2 years and 6 months. KIM HO JOONG had filed an appeal, but when the initial judgment was upheld, he abandoned his appeal to the Supreme Court and continued serving his sentence.
Although he received an ineligibility decision during the parole review for the special Christmas pardons last year, his release on parole was decided during a recent review that comprehensively took into account his behavior during his prison life, thus achieving a return to society earlier than expected.
Journalist: Shawn
Translator: Shawn
Source: SNS KIM HO JOONG
