Kim Ho-joong, a singer who was arrested in May 2024 on charges of driving under the influence and hitting a taxi parked on the opposite side of the road in Seoul's Gangnam district, has been released from prison five months early. According to sources close to Kim, he passed a parole review and will be released on June 30.
Kim Ho-joong was sentenced to two years and six months in prison for his role in the incident, which occurred on May 9, 2024. He had attempted to secure a special pardon for Christmas last year but was deemed ineligible. However, after passing the Ministry of Justice's parole review about half a year early, he will be released five months earlier than scheduled.
The incident drew widespread attention due to Kim Ho-joong's attempts to conceal his role in the accident and his subsequent admission to driving under the influence. He had initially denied being drunk at the time of the incident but later admitted to consuming alcohol before crashing into the taxi.
Kim Ho-joong was transferred from Seoul Detention Center to Sojang Correctional Facility in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province last August. His early release has sparked interest among fans and critics alike, who are waiting to see what his next moves will be after leaving prison.
**Background**
The incident occurred on May 9, 2024, at around 11:44 p.m. in Apgujeong-ro, Seoul's Gangnam district. Kim Ho-joong was driving a vehicle when he crashed into an oncoming taxi and fled the scene. He later admitted to drinking before the accident and was indicted for his role in the incident.
Kim Ho-joong had attempted to secure a special pardon for Christmas last year but was deemed ineligible. However, after passing the Ministry of Justice's parole review about half a year early, he will be released five months earlier than scheduled.
The exact circumstances surrounding Kim Ho-joong's release and what his next moves will be are unclear at this time.