'Drunk Hit-and-Run' Kim Ho-joong Fails to Receive Christmas Special Pardon Parole—Why?

[Financial News] Singer Kim Ho-joong (34), who is currently serving a prison sentence for causing a drunk driving hit-and-run accident, was deemed ineligible for parole under the Christmas Special Pardon.
According to the legal community on the 17th, the Parole Board under the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) reviewed the eligibility of inmates, including Kim, for parole on this day and concluded that Kim was not suitable for release.
Under criminal law, those sentenced to a fixed-term imprisonment become eligible for parole after serving one-third of their sentence. Kim met certain criteria such as age, motive, type of crime, and risk of recidivism, making him eligible for review. However, the Board determined he was ineligible, citing the poor nature of his offense, including fleeing the scene after the accident and attempting to have his manager surrender in his place.
On May 9 last year, at around 11:44 p.m., Kim was arrested and indicted for driving under the influence on Apgujeong-ro, Gangnam-gu, crossing the center line, colliding with a taxi on the opposite side, fleeing the scene, and instructing his manager, Mr. Jang, to turn himself in instead. He was charged under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes for dangerous driving resulting in injury.
Kim initially denied the drunk driving allegations but admitted to the crime ten days after the accident. He was sentenced to two years and six months in prison, was held at the Seoul Detention Center, and was later transferred to Hope Penitentiary in August, where he is currently serving his sentence.
moon@fnnews.com Moon Young-jin Reporter