'Five instances of drunk driving' Son Seung-won: "I have been blaming myself from the moment I wake up until I fall asleep"... Plea in appeal trial [Star Scene]

*This content was translated by AI.

Actor Son Seung-won, who was brought to trial on charges of drunk driving, expressed his remorse during an appeal court session.

On the 23rd, Seoul Western District Court's First Criminal Division (Appeal) (B) held the first appeal trial for Son Seung-won on charges including violation of the Road Traffic Act (hit-and-run causing injury under the Special Act on Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes).

Previously, the Prosecution Service sought a four-year prison sentence during the sentencing hearing, and the first-instance court sentenced Son Seung-won to one year in prison last month. The Prosecution Service then appealed, arguing that the sentencing was inappropriate, leading to the appeal trial.

On this day, the Prosecution Service requested the court to impose a four-year prison sentence, the same as what was sought during the first-instance sentencing hearing.

Son Seung-won, who is currently in custody, appeared in court wearing prison garb. He stated, "I have accepted all charges in the first trial and am serving my time as punishment for them. During my incarceration, I have been filled with regret and self-blame from the moment I wake up until I fall asleep."

Furthermore, Son Seung-won pleaded with the presiding judge to review the sentencing materials and statement of remorse submitted since the preliminary hearing on the arrest warrant, saying, "I will spend my remaining time in prison reflecting on my actions and paying the price for them."

He further emphasized, "When I am released back into society, I will live diligently for my family. I will not make the same mistake again."

Son Seung-won was arrested on the spot last November after driving in reverse on the Gangbyeon Expressway for about two minutes while heavily intoxicated and was brought to trial in February this year. It is reported that his blood alcohol concentration was 0.165%, more than double the threshold for license revocation (0.08%). Immediately after the accident, he falsely told police that a designated driver had abandoned the car and instructed his girlfriend to remove the black box storage device, among other attempts to destroy evidence.

This marks the fifth time Son Seung-won has been caught drunk driving. Previously, in 2018, he was prosecuted 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. Consequently, Son Seung-won became the first entertainer to be punished under what is known as the 'Yoon Chang-ho Law' (amended Special Act on Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes and Road Traffic Act).

Meanwhile, the court announced that it will deliver its verdict at 2:30 p.m. on August 13.

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*This content was translated by AI.