(LEAD) Embattled popera star Kim Ho-joong says 'sincerely sorry' ahead of arrest warrant hearing

▲ Popera star Kim Ho-joong responds to reporters at the Seoul Central District Court in the capital city on May 24, 2024. (Yonhap)

(LEAD) popera star-arrest warrant

(LEAD) Embattled popera star Kim Ho-joong says 'sincerely sorry' ahead of arrest warrant hearing

(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with attendance; REPLACES photo)

SEOUL, May 24 (Yonhap) -- Embattled popera star Kim Ho-joong attended a court hearing held Friday to determine whether to issue an arrest warrant for him on charges of ramming into a taxi while driving under the influence and fleeing the scene.

Donning a black business suit without a necktie, Kim appeared at the Seoul Central District Court for the hearing, two days after prosecutors applied for an arrest warrant on charges of crashing into a stationary taxi in the opposite lane in Seoul's southern district of Gangnam at night on May 9 while driving drunk.

He then allegedly left the scene without taking post-accident measures.

When asked about his alleged crime by reporters, Kim bowed his head and said: "I will sincerely respond to today's hearing. I am sincerely sorry."

Arrest warrants have also been sought for Lee Kwang-deuk, the head of Kim's management agency, and another agency official on charges of instigating Kim's flight from the accident site or destroying evidence.

The 33-year-old singer rose to stardom after appearing on the audition show "Mr. Trot."

The previous day, Kim's side filed a request with the court to postpone the scheduled hearing, apparently intending to proceed with his two-day concert from Thursday to Friday in Seoul, but the court rejected the request.

Dumir, the organizer of the show, said Kim would not be on stage Friday.

Kim is expected to be held in custody until the court's final decision, which typically takes several hours, making it impossible for Kim to perform.

The popular singer came under public fury after it was reported that his manager initially lied to the police that he was behind the wheel at the time of the accident and that Kim appeared before the police 17 hours after the accident, apparently to evade a blood alcohol test.

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