The scene of his release was also bathed in purple... 'Drunk hit-and-run' Kim Ho-joong granted parole amid fan support [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

The scene of his release was also bathed in purple. Singer Kim Ho-joong (35), who was serving a sentence for drunk driving and hit-and-run, was granted parole amid fan support.

On the 30th, Kim Ho-joong was released from Somang Correctional Center in Yeosu, Gyeonggi Province. This marks his release after serving over two years and one month for fleeing the scene after causing an accident while driving under the influence.

That day, he left the scene by passing through the main gate of the correctional facility while riding in a private vehicle believed to be driven by his agency's manager. Although fans and media personnel gathered in large numbers at the release site, he made no separate greetings or public statements. Kim Ho-joong, wearing a black suit and a mask, was also captured on camera by reporters.

Fans, holding banners and other items in the symbolic color of purple, Yangsan, visited the release site. The banners carried supportive messages such as "You worked hard. We love you." Purple banners featuring Kim Ho-joong's face were also noticeable. Some fans began chanting Kim Ho-joong's name as the release time approached.

Somang Correctional Center, where Kim Ho-joong was incarcerated, is known to allow releases via vehicle. Earlier, multiple sources familiar with the situation told StarNews, "He will be released immediately by vehicle from within the correctional facility and leave the scene," adding, "Unlike other correctional facilities, Somang 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, his parole was approved by the Ministry of Justice, advancing his release date by approximately five months.

Previously, he was considered for parole in December last year as part of a Christmas special but was deemed ineligible and continued his incarceration. He was recently approved for parole, allowing him to be released with about five months of his sentence remaining.

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

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

Following the accident, it was revealed that Kim Ho-joong and his managers attempted to cover up the drunk driving incident 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. However, on May 19, 2024, ten days after the incident, Kim Ho-joong admitted through a public statement that he had indeed driven under the influence.

The first-instance court ruled in November 2024 that a heavy sentence was unavoidable for Kim Ho-joong, who was charged with violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (Dangerous Driving Causing Injury), and sentenced him to two years and six months in prison. Kim Ho-joong appealed the verdict, but the original ruling was upheld in the second trial. He subsequently abandoned his appeal and began serving his sentence.

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*This content was translated by AI.