▲ A Yonhap file photo of South Korean singer Kim Ho-joong (Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, May 17 (Yonhap) -- Singer Kim Ho-joong (33), who caused a hit-and-run accident in Gangnam, Seoul, has once again denied allegations of drinking.

 

Think Entertainment, Kim Ho-joong's agency, stated on the 16th, "Kim Ho-joong only stopped by a bar to greet an acquaintance and did not consume any alcohol," adding, "Staff members including CEO Lee Kwang-deuk, who caused the issue, will take legal responsibility based on the investigation results."

 

The previous day, Channel A reported that Kim had allegedly stumbled as he left a bar on the 9th and boarded a vehicle driven by a chauffeur.

 

Think Entertainment expressed their regret over Channel A's use of subjective terms like "stumbled" and stated, "We feel a great sense of responsibility for the incident involving Kim Ho-joong and sincerely apologize for causing social unrest due to our poor judgment."

 

Kim is accused of hitting a taxi on the opposite side of the road and fleeing the scene around 11:40 p.m. on the 9th in Apgujeong, Gangnam, Seoul (charges include fleeing the scene of an accident under the Aggravated Punishment Act for Specific Crimes and failing to take action after the accident).

 

Approximately three hours after the accident, a man in his 30s, Kim's manager, went to the police and claimed responsibility for the accident. Kim did not go home immediately after the incident but went to a hotel in Gyeonggi Province, and reported to the police 17 hours later at 4:30 p.m. the next day, admitting that he was the one driving.

 

Think Entertainment's CEO Lee Kwang-deuk revealed in a statement the previous day that he had instructed Kim's manager to appear before the police in his place.

 

 

[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]