A Korean singer has been banned by the South Korean government from leaving the country as he is facing charges for hit-and-run and drunk driving.
Trot singer Kim Ho-joong is facing charges for an accident that happened on May 9 in Gangnam, Seoul.
CCTV footage showing Kim Ho-joong's car hitting a taxi and speeding off in Gangnam, Seoul on May 9 (Screenshots from Channel A's video on YouTube)
Kim Ho-joong at his concert in South Korea (Think Entertainment)
CCTV footage showed a vehicle hitting a taxi and speeding off. Kim Ho-joong initially denied that he was driving the vehicle but admitted it after finishing his two-day concert in Changwon, South Korea on May 19.
After hitting the taxi, Kim Ho-joong did not get out of his vehicle and sped off.
In an effort to protect the singer, his manager wore Kim Ho-joong’s clothes and appeared at the police station to falsely say that he was the driver of the vehicle. The manager also removed the black box memory card of Kim Ho-joong’s vehicle.
On May 19, Kim Ho-joong admitted that he drank alcohol and drove the vehicle.
“I would like to express my sincere apology for causing hurt and disappointment to many people due to my momentary wrong judgment. I did drink and drive. I greatly regret and reflect on this. I will faithfully participate in the police investigation. I once again bow my head in apology,” he said in a statement released through his agency.
His agency, Think Entertainment, also issued an apology.
“We bow our heads in apology for causing social controversy due to our wrong judgment, as well as the controversy over our artist Kim Ho-joong. From the first official statement until now, we have been busy hiding the situation. I also sincerely apologize for not acting truthfully,” the agency said.
It added, “Kim Ho-joong voluntarily appeared at the police station, admitted to the facts, including drunk driving, and will faithfully participate in the police investigation. Lastly, we have made an irreversible mistake in our mistaken belief that we must protect artists. We bow our heads in apology again and again.”
He underwent questioning at the Seoul Gangnam Police Station about the accident on May 21.