'Five instances of drunk driving, first celebrity under the Yoon Chang-ho Act'..Actor Son Seung-won to receive appeal court verdict today (13th) [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

What will be the outcome for actor Son Seung-won, who was sentenced to four years in prison by the prosecution during his appeal trial on charges of drunk driving?

On the 13th, Seoul Western District Court's First Criminal Division (Appeal) (B) will hold the sentencing hearing for Son Seung-won's appeal regarding violations of the Road Traffic Act (hit-and-run causing injury under the Act on Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes), among other charges.

Previously, the Prosecution Service requested a four-year prison sentence for Son Seung-won during the closing arguments, while the first-instance court had sentenced him to one year in prison last month. Following this, the Prosecution Service appealed, arguing that the sentencing was inappropriate. During the appeal trial held on the 23rd of last month, the Prosecution Service again requested a four-year prison sentence for Son Seung-won, matching the first-instance recommendation.

During his final statement at that time, Son Seung-won said, "I have accepted all charges in the first trial and am serving my punishment as a consequence. Throughout my incarceration, from the moment I wake up in the morning until I fall asleep, I have been filled with regret and self-reproach."

Furthermore, Son Seung-won appealed to the presiding judge, saying, "Please review the sentencing materials and apology letter I submitted since the preliminary hearing on the arrest warrant." He added, "I will spend my remaining time in prison reflecting on my actions and paying the price for my crimes." He emphasized, "When I am released back into society in the future, I will live diligently for my family and will not make the same mistake again."

Son Seung-won was arrested red-handed last November after driving in reverse on the Hangang River Expressway for about two minutes while heavily intoxicated. He was brought to trial in February this year. At that time, his blood alcohol concentration was reported to be 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 prior drunk driving offenses. Consequently, Son Seung-won became the first celebrity to be punished under the so-called 'Yoon Chang-ho Act' (amended Act on Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes and Road Traffic Act).

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*This content was translated by AI.