[Breaking News] 'Drunk hit-and-run' Kim Ho-joong released on parole, leaving prison in a private vehicle... 'No statement'

*This content was translated by AI.

Singer Kim Ho-joong (35), serving a sentence for drunk driving and hit-and-run, was granted parole on the 30th.

Kim Ho-joong was released from Somang Prison in Yeojoo, Gyeonggi Province, on the morning of the 30th. He left the scene by passing through the prison gate while riding in a private vehicle, believed to be driven by his agency manager. Although fans and media crews gathered in large numbers at the release site, he offered no greetings or public statement.

Somang Prison, where Kim Ho-joong was incarcerated, is known as a facility that allows release via vehicle. Previously, several sources close to the matter told StarNews, "He will leave the prison immediately by car and exit the scene," adding, "Unlike other correctional facilities, Somang Prison allows inmates to be transported out by vehicle."

Kim Ho-joong was originally sentenced to two years and six months in the first and second trials and was scheduled for release in November. However, after passing the Ministry of Justice's parole review recently, his release date was advanced by approximately five months.

Earlier, he was considered for parole review once last December as part of a Christmas special but was deemed ineligible and continued his prison life. He recently passed the parole review and was released on parole with about five months of his remaining sentence left.

Parole is typically granted after an inmate has served at least one-third of their sentence, with consideration given to their conduct during incarceration and the likelihood of reoffending. According to the Ministry of Justice's parole guidelines, inmates who have served more than 60% of their sentence become eligible for preliminary review.

Meanwhile, on May 9, 2024, Kim Ho-joong was driving under the influence and collided with a taxi coming from the opposite direction after crossing the center line on a road in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

After the accident, it was revealed that Kim Ho-joong and his managers attempted to cover up the drunk driving by swapping drivers and removing the black box memory card, sparking public outrage.

Immediately after the accident, Kim Ho-joong and his agency denied any alcohol consumption, but on May 19, 2024, ten days after the incident, Kim issued a statement admitting, "I did drive under the influence."

The first-instance court, deeming a heavy sentence inevitable for Kim Ho-joong, who was charged with violating the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (dangerous driving causing injury), sentenced him to two years and six months in prison. Kim appealed the verdict, but the original ruling was upheld in the second trial. Kim subsequently abandoned his appeal to the Supreme Court and began serving his sentence.

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*This content was translated by AI.