[Exclusive]Drunk driving five times, destruction of evidence: 1-year prison sentence.. Son Seung-won to appear in court again on the 23rd

*This content was translated by AI.

Actor Son Seung-won, who had been imprisoned multiple times for drunk driving offenses, was ordered into custody after being sentenced to one year in prison for his fifth drunk driving charge. However, the Prosecution Service appealed the decision, and the trial will resume on the 23rd.

According to StarNews, the Seoul Western District Court’s First Criminal Division (Appeal) (B) will hold the first appeal hearing regarding Son Seung-won’s charges, including violation of the Road Traffic Act (causing injury while fleeing under the Special Crimes Aggravated Punishment Act), on the 23rd.

Previously, the Seoul Western District Court’s Criminal Division 5 held a sentencing session for Son Seung-won on June 11, sentencing him to one year in prison and ordering his immediate custody.

During the earlier closing arguments, the Prosecution Service had requested a four-year prison term. Ultimately dissatisfied with the first-instance verdict, they filed an appeal.

Son Seung-won was arrested on the spot after driving the wrong way on Gangbyeon Boulevard for about two minutes while heavily intoxicated in November 2025 and was subsequently brought to trial in February this year. His blood alcohol concentration was reportedly 0.165%, more than double the license revocation threshold of 0.08%. Additionally, immediately after the incident, Son allegedly lied to police by claiming that a hired driver who had been involved in a dispute abandoned the vehicle, and instructed his girlfriend to remove the black box storage device from his car at the Yongsan Police Station, attempting to destroy evidence.

Son Seung-won submitted multiple letters of remorse and opinion statements containing promises such as "I have visited hospitals to ensure I never cause alcohol-related issues again" and "I will definitely quit drinking." However, it was reported that he drove his white BMW, which he used during the 2025 drunk driving incident, to a bar in Hannam-dong, Seoul, and held a drinking session. Even more outrageously, it was revealed that on the 8th of last month, just before this trial, he was caught behind the wheel despite having his license revoked.

At the time of sentencing, Son Seung-won appeared wearing a black baseball cap and a black top and bottom outfit. His girlfriend, Kim (surname), who was also indicted for violating the Road Traffic Act, attended court wearing a hat.

The judge stated, "Son Seung-won has admitted to all charges, and we have determined he is guilty. The defendant was arrested on the spot after driving the wrong way on Gangbyeon Boulevard while heavily intoxicated and instructed Ms. Kim to hide black box evidence. He also made false statements, and his blood alcohol concentration was extremely high. Therefore, a prison sentence is unavoidable." The judge further noted, "Fortunately, no traffic accident occurred, and he has admitted to his wrongdoing belatedly. Considering the appeals for leniency from his acquaintances and family members, we have determined the sentence."

Sentenced to imprisonment, Son Seung-won appealed to the court: "I fully acknowledge all my wrongdoings and deeply regret and reflect upon them. If I am currently detained, my family will have to bear the responsibility of supporting me due to my mistakes. I beg for leniency."

This marks the fifth time Son Seung-won was caught drunk driving. Previously, in 2018, he was indicted for drunk driving in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, where he collided with a vehicle ahead and fled. He was sentenced to one year and six months in prison at that time. At the time, his license had already been revoked three times due to drunk driving offenses.

The court applied the so-called "Yoon Chang-ho Law" (amended Special Crimes Aggravated Punishment Act 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 National Assembly passed the Yoon Chang-ho Law, becoming the first entertainer to be punished under this law, an unfortunate distinction.

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*This content was translated by AI.