Detained Korean singer Kim Ho-joong admitted all charges related to his case of hit-and-run that happened in May. On May 9, Kim Ho-joong, 32, a tenor and trot artist, is facing charges for an incident that happened on May 9 in Gangnam, Seoul. CCTV footage showed a vehicle hitting a taxi and speeding off.
Kim Ho-joong initially denied that he was driving the vehicle but later admitted it. Korean singer Kim Ho-joong (Instagram) CCTV footage showing Korean singer Kim Ho-joong's car hitting a taxi on May 9 (Instagram) After hitting the taxi, Kim Ho-joong did not get out of his vehicle and sped off. His manager wore Kim Ho-joong’s clothes and appeared at the police station to falsely say that he was the driver of the vehicle.
The manager also removed the black box memory card of Kim Ho-joong’s vehicle. He surrendered to the police the following day or 17 hours after the incident. After completing his concert on May 19, Kim Ho-joong admitted that he drank alcohol and drove the vehicle.
On Aug. 19, the Seoul Central District Court held the second trial for Kim Ho-joong who is facing charges for violation of the law on “death and injury due to dangerous driving,” and aiding and abetting a criminal’s escape. He was not charged for drunk driving as the prosecution concluded that it was difficult to estimate his blood alcohol level at the time of the incident since he fled the scene and surrendered the following day.
Along with Kim Ho-joong, his agency's CEO, director, and manager, who were indicted on charges of aiding and abetting a criminal's escape and destruction of evidence, also stood trial. "Kim Ho-joong admits all of the charges," Kim Ho-joong’s lawyer said, Korean media reported. Fans flocked the courtroom.
The final trial for Kim Ho-joong and three others will be held on Sept. 30. Sentencing will be held in October at the earliest.
Last May 24, a judge issued a warrant of arrest against Kim Ho-joong based on the concern that “there is risk of destroying evidence.”.
