'Sootaki' Suspicion Involving Lee Jae-yong Goes to Court..Drunk Driving Charges Not Applied

*This content was translated by AI.

Actor Lee Jae-yong, suspected of causing a drunk driving accident and fleeing the scene, has been sent to trial.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, Criminal Division 7 (Chief Prosecutor Jo Yun-cheol), indicted Lee Jae-yong on the 7th on charges of failing to take action after an accident and obstructing alcohol testing under the Road Traffic Act.

Initially, police also applied drunk driving charges when referring the case, but it is understood that the Prosecution Service determined that Lee Jae-yong's blood alcohol concentration at the time of driving did not exceed the minimum threshold for drunk driving penalties.

On March 6 around 11 p.m., Lee Jae-yong caused an accident by hitting a median barrier near Cheongdam Station on Seoul Subway Line 7, fled the scene, and was arrested about three hours later at a friend's home. At that time, Lee Jae-yong's blood alcohol concentration was at the level warranting license suspension.

During the initial investigation, Lee Jae-yong denied the charges but changed his statement the next day through his lawyer, admitting to drinking four glasses of soju and driving under the influence. It is also reported that he attended another drinking session before moving to a friend's home after the accident.

Accordingly, police determined that Lee Jae-yong attempted what is known as 'sootaki' by drinking more alcohol after fleeing, which created confusion in estimating his level of intoxication at the time of the accident, and thus referred the case with charges of obstructing alcohol testing.

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*This content was translated by AI.