[Breaking News] Kim Ba-da faces three-year prison sentence for marijuana charges: "I deeply regret my actions and will never touch it again"

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The Prosecution Office has requested a three-year prison sentence for Kim Ba-da (real name Kim Jung-nam), former vocalist of the band Sinawi, who was arrested on marijuana charges.

The Criminal Division 1 of the Sokcho Branch of the Chuncheon District Court held the final hearing on the 28th regarding Kim Ba-da's charges of violating the Narcotics Control Act (marijuana). On that day, the Prosecution Office requested a three-year prison sentence for Kim Ba-da, along with the confiscation of seized items and a fine of 500,000 won.

In his final statement, Kim Ba-da said, "I committed the crime of smoking marijuana due to a momentary lapse in judgment," adding, "I deeply regret my complacent attitude toward marijuana and am reflecting on it with profound remorse. With a heart full of anguish, I have resolved and sworn that I will never touch illegal marijuana again."

He continued, "By attending meetings of drug addicts and witnessing firsthand cases where lives were destroyed by drugs, I realized once again the dangers of narcotics. I also came to understand that while marijuana damages my body and mind, it causes immense pain to the people I love," pleading for leniency by stating, "The sight of those who suffered because of me weighed more heavily on me than my 30-year music career."

Kim Ba-da was arrested in March on charges of possessing and smoking marijuana, but he was not detained after the court rejected the arrest warrant. At the time, the court stated that it had rejected the warrant because "there was insufficient evidence to justify detention due to concerns about flight or destruction of evidence."

Subsequently, Kim Ba-da left a message saying, "At this point where I am trying to resume my activities, I believe it is only right to convey my feelings to all those who have waited for and worried about me, so I am speaking out." He then revealed a handwritten letter, confessing, "I have thought deeply and reflected with profound remorse during the past period. The events of March caused worry and hurt to those who cared for and trusted me. Thinking of their feelings makes my heart ache as well."

Kim Ba-da said, "During this time, I have looked back at my life and thought a lot about what kind of person I should be," adding, "Ultimately, I believe the only thing I can do is to slowly show you through my future actions, life, and music, rather than just words."

Finally, he appealed for sincerity by stating, "I feel more deeply than ever how grateful it is to be able to sing and stand on stage. I am sincerely sorry once again to those who were hurt. 'I will live more carefully. I will strive to become a better person. And I would like to greet you again with music filled with sincerity.'"

Kim Ba-da is considered one of the symbolic figures in the Korean rock music scene. He debuted with the group Bank in 1995 and joined Sinawi as its fifth vocalist that same year. After completing activities from Sinawi's 5.5th album to their seventh album, he left the team in 1999. He subsequently performed with bands such as Butterfly Effect, Ratioz, and Art of Parties.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original