Convicted Korean singer Kim Ho-joong out on parole
Korean trot singer Kim Ho-joong was released from prison on June 30 after being granted parole, nearly five months before the end of his sentence for hit-and-run and dangerous driving.
The 34-year-old singer walked out of Somang Correctional Institution in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, where a group of fans had gathered outside the facility with banners to welcome him.
Kim was sentenced to two years and six months in prison and was originally scheduled for release on Nov. 24. However, after passing the Ministry of Justice's recent parole review, he was granted early release with about five months remaining on his sentence.
Wearing a black face mask, Kim left the correctional facility without speaking to reporters waiting outside.
He had previously been deemed ineligible for parole during a review late last year. However, local reports said he was included in this year's parole list after being recognized for his diligent and exemplary conduct while incarcerated.
Although he has been released, Kim will remain under the supervision of a probation officer until the remainder of his sentence is completed.
Reports said the singer is expected to resume his music career after recovering from an ankle condition.
Kim's legal troubles stemmed from a hit-and-run incident on May 9, 2024, when he crashed into a taxi while driving in Gangnam, Seoul, and fled the scene. His manager later appeared at a police station wearing Kim's clothes and falsely claimed to have been the driver.
On Nov. 13, 2024, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Kim to two years and six months in prison after finding him guilty of hit-and-run resulting in injury, dangerous driving resulting in injury, failure to take action after an accident, and aiding and abetting the escape of a criminal. His appeal was dismissed.
Kim later filed an appeal before the Supreme Court but eventually withdrew it. In August last year, he was transferred from the Seoul Detention Center to Somang Correctional Institution to continue serving his sentence.
Before his legal troubles, Kim performed with world-renowned opera singer Plácido Domingo during the latter's concert in Busan, South Korea, in June 2022.
