"Parole, Not a Right for Inmates": Why Is 'Drunk Hit-and-Run' Kim Ho-joong Released Five Months Early? [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

Singer Kim Ho-joong (35) will be released from prison five months ahead of his scheduled release date.

While serving his sentence for a drunk driving hit-and-run, Kim recently passed a parole review by the Ministry of Justice and is set to be released on the 30th of this month. Parole is not a right of inmates but a discretionary measure determined by correctional authorities. Under current law, inmates who have served at least one-third of their sentence may become eligible for parole review. Additionally, they may qualify for parole if their conduct is deemed good and there is no concern of recidivism. Furthermore, according to the Ministry of Justice's parole guidelines, inmates must have served at least 60% of their sentence to be considered for preliminary parole review.

Earlier, in December last year, Kim Ho-joong was considered for parole as part of a Christmas special review but was deemed ineligible. It is reported that six months later, his prison life and other factors were comprehensively evaluated, leading to a determination of eligibility.

As a result, although Kim Ho-joong was sentenced to two years and six months in prison and was originally scheduled for release on November 24, he will now be released into society five months early.

On the night of May 9, 2024, Kim Ho-joong was driving after drinking alcohol and crossed the center line on a road in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, colliding with a taxi traveling in the opposite direction. He then fled the scene and was subsequently indicted for having his manager turn himself in on his behalf. Both the first and second instance courts sentenced Kim Ho-joong to two years and six months in prison, and the sentence became final after he abandoned his appeal.

Kim Ho-joong was initially incarcerated at Seoul Detention Center and was transferred in August last year to Somang Prison in Yeosu, Gyeonggi-do, where he is currently serving his sentence.

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*This content was translated by AI.