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| Nam Tae-hyun / Photo: DB |
On the 12th, the Seoul Western District Court’s Criminal Division 11 held a second hearing in his case on charges that include violating the Road Traffic Act (drunk driving).
Prosecutors sought a sentence of 1 year and 6 months and a fine of 1,000,000 KRW (about $750). They argued that, despite having been punished for drunk driving previously, the defendant committed the offense again within two years.
In his closing remarks, Nam said, \"Under pressure to create and express myself, I cloaked my immaturity, shortcomings and foolishness with emotional expression, inspiration and depression. Looking back, I belatedly realized those were merely excuses.\"
\"I know my past actions are unacceptable,\" he added. \"I will change so this never happens again.\" He asked the court for mercy.
Nam’s lawyer told the court that the defendant endured such severe social stigma he required hospitalization in a psychiatric ward. He is now employed at a company and is trying to live as an ordinary, law-abiding citizen.
Prosecutors say Nam crashed into a median around 4:10 a.m. last April near Dongjak Bridge on the Gangbyeonbuk-ro while heading toward Ilsan as he attempted to overtake another vehicle. Authorities said his blood-alcohol level reached the threshold for license suspension. He is also accused of driving 182 km/h in an 80 km/h zone.
Earlier, Nam had been indicted without detention on charges under the Narcotics Control Act and in January received a one-year prison sentence with a two-year suspension. Police applied for an arrest warrant in May, noting the drunk-driving incident occurred during the suspension period, but the court denied the request, saying there was no risk of evidence tampering.
Sentencing on the drunk-driving charge is scheduled for 2 p.m. on the 9th of next month.
[Sports Today Reporter Im Si-ryeong ent@stoo.com]
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