Singer Kim Ho-jung leaves Somang Prison in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, on Tuesday. Kim was convicted and sentenced to two years and six months in prison after fleeing the scene of a drunk-driving accident in 2024 and ordering his manager to turn himself in on his behalf. [Yonhap]
Singer Kim Ho-jung leaves Somang Prison in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, on Tuesday. Kim was convicted and sentenced to two years and six months in prison after fleeing the scene of a drunk-driving accident in 2024 and ordering his manager to turn himself in on his behalf. [Yonhap]

Singer Kim Ho-jung, 35, who served time after being convicted of drunk driving and fleeing the scene of an accident, was released on parole Tuesday.

Kim had been serving his sentence at Somang Prison in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province. He left the facility Tuesday morning after boarding a car inside the prison grounds, departing without passing through the main gate.

About 30 members of the press and roughly 70 fans had gathered at the main entrance, but none caught a glimpse of him.

Cameras did briefly capture Kim — dressed in a black suit and wearing a black mask — before he got into the vehicle.

His fans, dressed in purple, gathered at the prison entrance holding handmade banners to welcome his release. The signs bore messages including "You've worked so hard. We love you" and "We waited. Let's be happy now."

Singer Kim Ho-jung leaves Somang Prison in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, on Tuesday. Kim was convicted and sentenced to two years and six months in prison after fleeing the scene of a drunk-driving accident in 2024 and ordering his manager to turn himself in on his behalf. [Yonhap]
Singer Kim Ho-jung leaves Somang Prison in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, on Tuesday. Kim was convicted and sentenced to two years and six months in prison after fleeing the scene of a drunk-driving accident in 2024 and ordering his manager to turn himself in on his behalf. [Yonhap]

The Ministry of Justice's parole review board granted Kim parole after determining he had demonstrated exemplary conduct during his incarceration, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Sentenced to two years and six months, Kim had served two years and one month of his term. His sentence was set to expire in November, but the parole decision allows him to walk free about five months early.

For now, Kim is expected to focus on his health, particularly treatment for a chronic ankle condition. His agency said both ankles require surgery.

Attention is also turning to whether he will return to the stage once he recovers. In a letter posted to his fan cafe, Kim wrote: "It has been nearly two years since my time of wrongdoing began. I will carry my mistakes carved into my bones." He added, "I will somehow rise again. I will sing. I will not give up."

Public reaction has been largely cold. "Even if he's released, he should not be allowed back in the music industry," one online commenter wrote. Another criticized fans who continue to support him, saying, "The problem is the fans who shield someone like that and keep listening to his music."

Observers say the chilly response stems from the fact that Kim's offenses went far beyond a simple drunk-driving hit-and-run. He and his agency are accused of systematically deceiving investigators to cover up the crime and of committing gapjil — abusive behavior by someone in a position of power — against a staff member.

On May 9, 2024, Kim struck an oncoming taxi while driving drunk in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and fled the scene. The collision itself was relatively minor.

The more serious misconduct unfolded in the cover-up. Kim flatly denied being drunk and consumed more alcohol after the accident to manipulate the timeline — a tactic known as "sul tagi," or "stroke drinking" — in an attempt to deceive investigators. Once his methods became known, a wave of copycat incidents followed, with offenders apparently adopting the same approach of fleeing the scene and drinking afterward.

Kim also pressured a junior staff member to falsely turn himself in to police, claiming he had been the one driving. One employee appeared before investigators wearing Kim's clothes and submitted a false confession on the agency's orders. The agency also removed the memory chip from the dashcam in Kim's vehicle, destroying evidence.


paq@heraldcorp.com