Drunk driving charge dropped… Actor Lee Jae-ryong, husband of Yoo Ho-jung, faces first trial today (the 13th) over hit-and-run and “soju drinking” suspicions [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The trial of actor Lee Jae-ryong (62), who is suspected of hit-and-run and so-called “soju drinking” in central Seoul, begins on the 13th.

Judge Lee Jae-wook, presiding judge of Criminal Division 10 Solo at the Seoul Central District Court, will conduct the first hearing for Lee Jae-ryong, who was indicted on charges including violation of the Road Traffic Act (failure to take measures after an accident), on this day.

Lee Jae-ryong’s initial trial was originally scheduled for the 16th of last month, but the date was postponed once after a motion filed by Lee’s side to change the hearing date was accepted.

Lee Jae-ryong faces charges of driving under the influence near Cheongdam Station on Seoul Subway Line 7 around 11:05 p.m. on March 6 this year, striking a central median barrier multiple times and fleeing the scene.

He was arrested by police at a friend’s home around 2 a.m. the following day (March 7). It is reported that his blood alcohol concentration measured at the time was at the level of license suspension (0.03–0.08%).

As investigations revealed that there had been another drinking session before he moved to a friend’s home after the accident, Lee also faced suspicions of so-called “soju drinking,” which involves consuming additional alcohol to obscure the blood alcohol level at the time of the accident.

Lee initially claimed he had been drinking at a friend’s home, but later reversed his statement during the investigation, testifying that he “drank four glasses of soju and then drove.”

However, citing limitations in proof, the prosecution (then Prosecution Service) excluded the drunk driving charge on the 5th of this month and referred Lee to trial without detention on charges of obstructing a breathalyzer test and failure to take measures after an accident.

It is reported that, based on estimates using the Widmark formula, it was not clearly proven whether Lee’s blood alcohol concentration while driving exceeded 0.03% (the level for license suspension).

The Widmark formula refers to a method of estimating blood alcohol concentration by considering factors such as the drinker’s body, time elapsed, and amount of alcohol consumed.

Meanwhile, Lee Jae-ryong had his driver’s license revoked after causing a drunk driving accident in Seoul Gangnam-gu in 2003.

In 2019, he was also given a deferred prosecution for property damage after destroying a standing sign at a bowling alley in Gangnam while intoxicated.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original