Seoul, July 10, 2024 - A well-known actor in his 40s, affiliated with a terrestrial broadcasting station, has been formally indicted by the Seoul Seongdong Police Station on charges of assault and drunk driving.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of July 2nd, has sparked significant controversy and legal proceedings against the celebrity.
According to police reports, the actor, identified only as 'A', was seen consuming alcohol at a restaurant in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, until approximately 3:40 a.m.
Subsequently, he drove his vehicle approximately 3 kilometers to his residence in Seongdong-gu.
Upon interception by authorities, 'A' registered a blood alcohol concentration exceeding the legal limit for driving, warranting immediate license revocation.
The situation escalated further when bystanders attempted to intervene, suspecting 'A' of driving under the influence. Allegedly, the actor responded aggressively, resulting in accusations of assault against him for choking individuals attempting to contact the police.
In a statement to MBC, 'A' admitted to driving after consuming alcohol, citing the unavailability of a designated driver as justification for his actions.
"After finishing half a bottle of soju with my acquaintances, I drove home by myself because I couldn't get a proxy driver. Even when the police came, I also admitted to drunk driving. When I got out of the car, some people with tattoos approached me. They filmed videos and said they would follow me and report this to the media. I just wanted to run away from them, and did not cause any injuries. I've already filed a countersuit against them".
-A
The police promptly forwarded 'A' to prosecution for drunk driving charges and continue to investigate the assault allegations, reviewing CCTV footage from the scene.
Under South Korean law, 'A' faces severe penalties, including potential imprisonment or hefty fines should the court find him guilty of causing injury while driving under the influence.
The case has drawn attention to the persistent issue of drunk driving incidents in the country, with recent reports even implicating a female police officer who attempted to evade a DUI check near Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do.
KdramaStars owns this article.
Written by Joan Cabigas.
