Son Seung-won caught drunk driving five times.. Court: "1-year prison sentence; concerns over evidence destruction and escape" [Star Scene] [Comprehensive]

*This content was translated by AI.

Actor Son Seung-won, who previously received a prison sentence for drunk driving and served time, was sentenced to one year in prison for his fifth drunk driving charge. Son pleaded for leniency, but the court immediately ordered his detention in custody.

On the 11th, the Seoul Western District Court's Criminal Division 5 (Judge Kim Hyeong-seok (Director)) held a sentencing hearing for Son Seung-won on charges including violation of the Road Traffic Act (escape causing injury under the Act on Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes).

On that day, Son appeared wearing a black baseball cap and black top and bottom. His girlfriend, Kim, also charged with violation of the Road Traffic Act, attended court wearing a hat.

The court stated, "The defendant (Son Seung-won) has admitted to all charges, and we find him guilty. The defendant was arrested on the spot after driving the wrong way on Gangbyeon Boulevard while heavily intoxicated and instructed his girlfriend, Kim, to hide the black box evidence. He also made false statements, and his blood alcohol concentration was extremely high. Therefore, a prison sentence is unavoidable."

The court continued, "However, the defendant has admitted his mistake, albeit belatedly, and fortunately, no traffic accident occurred. Considering that acquaintances and family members of the defendant pleaded for leniency, we have determined the sentence. The defendant is sentenced to one year in prison, and due to the possibility of escape or destruction of evidence, he is ordered to be detained in custody."

The court then urged Son Seung-won, "You must never drive under the influence again."

Regarding Kim, the court stated, "She submitted the black box SD card as evidence, has resigned from her company, and has no prior criminal record. Considering these factors, we will suspend the sentencing."

Son Seung-won, who was sentenced to prison, pleaded to the court, "I fully admit to the mistakes I have made and deeply regret and reflect on them. If I am detained now, my family will have to bear the responsibility of supporting me due to my wrongdoing. I beg for leniency." However, his plea was not accepted.

Son Seung-won was arrested on the spot last November after driving the wrong way on Gangbyeon Boulevard for about two minutes while heavily intoxicated and was brought to trial in February this year. At the time, his blood alcohol concentration was reportedly 0.165%, more than double the threshold for license revocation (0.08%).

Immediately after the incident, he lied to the police, claiming, "A substitute driver who got into a dispute with me abandoned the car and left," and instructed his girlfriend to remove the black box storage device, as his car was at the Yongsan Police Station, attempting to destroy evidence.

At the closing arguments hearing held last month, the Prosecution Service requested a four-year prison sentence. Additionally, it was revealed that he was caught driving with a revoked license on the 8th of last month, just before this trial, sparking public outrage.

Son Seung-won submitted multiple apology letters and opinion documents to law enforcement authorities, stating that he had visited a hospital to address his alcohol problem and would definitely quit drinking. However, it was reported that he drove the white BMW he used during his previous drunk driving arrest last year to a bar in Hannam-dong, Seoul, and held a drinking session.

This marks the fifth time Son Seung-won was caught drunk driving. Previously, in 2018, he was charged with drunk driving in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, where he hit a car ahead and fled, and was sentenced to one year and six months in prison. At that time, his license had already been revoked due to three prior drunk driving incidents.

At that time, the court applied the so-called "Yoon Chang-ho Law" (amended Act on Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes and Road Traffic Act), which increased penalties for drivers causing personal injury through drunk driving. Son Seung-won was caught drunk driving the month after the Yoon Chang-ho Law passed the National Assembly, becoming the first entertainer to be punished under this law, an unfortunate distinction.

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*This content was translated by AI.