Singer and former WINNER member Nam Tae Hyun, who caused a drunk driving accident during his probation period for drug use, has appealed the first trial’s sentence of imprisonment.
According to Star News, on the 14th, Nam Tae Hyun filed an appeal through his legal representative, disagreeing with the first trial’s verdict on charges including violation of the Road Traffic Act.
The Seoul Western District Court Criminal Division 11 single judge previously sentenced Nam Tae Hyun on the 9th to one year in prison and a fine of ₩1.00 million KRW (about $676 USD) for violating the Road Traffic Act and other charges. However, the court ruled no warrant for detention as there was no concern of evidence tampering or flight risk.
The court stated, “All charges are acknowledged as guilty,” and added, “Although he confessed and showed remorse, considering his prior drunk driving record and that he committed another offense during probation for drug offenses, the criticism is significant.”
It continued, “Given the high blood alcohol content, exceeding the speed limit in an 80 km/h zone, causing an accident by hitting a curb and retaining wall, thus posing a high risk to road safety, strict punishment is necessary,” the court ruled.
Nam Tae Hyun reportedly submitted a letter of remorse on the 8th, one day before the sentencing. Previously, on the 12th of last month, the prosecution demanded one year and six months imprisonment along with a ₩1.00 million KRW (about $676 USD) fine, citing repeat offenses, high blood alcohol level, and committing the crime during probation as aggravating factors.
Nam Tae Hyun is accused of hitting the median while trying to overtake a vehicle near Dongjak Bridge on the morning of April 27 last year around 4:10 a.m. on Gangbyeonbuk-ro heading towards Ilsan.
No casualties occurred, but his blood alcohol level was confirmed at 0.122%, exceeding the license cancellation threshold of 0.08%. In addition to drunk driving charges, he is also charged with speeding violations. At the time of the accident, he was reportedly driving at 182 km/h on a road with an 80 km/h speed limit.
In 2024, Nam Tae Hyun was sentenced to one year in prison with two years probation for violating the Narcotics Control Act. He had also previously received a summary order fine of 6 million won in March 2023 for a drunk driving accident during a drug investigation.
