Fans of Kim Ho-joong Petition for Leniency Following His Sentencing

Fans of trot singer Kim Ho-joong (김호중), who was sentenced to prison for a hit-and-run incident involving drunk driving, have submitted a petition to KBS asking for leniency. In response, KBS stated that they respect the judicial process and the decisions made. On June 19, KBS acknowledged that Kim had undergone both first and second trials, and that his appeal to the Supreme Court had been withdrawn, thus finalizing the appellate court's decision.

The petition, which garnered over 1,000 signatures within a month, was posted on KBS's viewer petition board on May 14. The fan club argued that while Kim did cause social controversy, they felt that his side of the story was not adequately represented during the trial. They requested that the broadcasting company show some leniency, stating, "It is natural to face consequences for wrongdoing, but we believe that the spirit of the law is to guide those who repent and wish to reintegrate into society. We ask that you view Kim Ho-joong with a more forgiving perspective."

The fan club also addressed allegations that Kim had attempted to obstruct a breathalyzer test by consuming more alcohol after the accident, known as '술타기' (drunk driving evasion). They claimed that this issue was barely mentioned during police and prosecution investigations and that Kim has never admitted to such actions. They expressed hope for the truth to be revealed and reassessed in the future.

Following Kim's arrest in May 2022 for the hit-and-run incident, KBS imposed a temporary suspension on his appearances. The recent response from KBS suggests that they will maintain this suspension in light of the court's ruling.

Kim was charged after driving under the influence on May 9, 2022, in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam, where he crossed the center line and collided with a taxi before fleeing the scene. He is also accused of attempting to conceal his actions by having a staff member turn himself in and refusing to provide passwords for three confiscated mobile phones.

The first trial court stated, "Kim caused both personal and property damage due to his drunk driving and irresponsibly fled the scene, leading his manager to falsely confess. This caused confusion in the initial investigation and wasted police resources," sentencing him to 2 years and 6 months in prison. The second trial court upheld this decision, acknowledging that Kim's judgment and attention were significantly impaired due to alcohol.

Although Kim initially appealed the verdict, he withdrew his appeal on May 19, confirming his sentence.