[26.05.14] Prosecutors Seek 4-Year Sentence for Actor Son Seung-won DUI Case

Prosecutors Seek 4-Year Sentence for Actor Son Seung-won DUI Case

📍Actor previously convicted under South Korea’s “Yoon Chang-ho Act” accused of drunk driving again, including wrong-way driving and attempted evidence destruction

South Korean prosecutors have requested a four-year prison sentence for actor Son Seung-won, who is once again on trial for drunk driving despite previously serving prison time under the country’s strengthened DUI law known as the “Yoon Chang-ho Act.” The latest case has drawn renewed criticism after investigators uncovered allegations of wrong-way driving and attempted destruction of evidence.

🔹 Prosecutors Request Four-Year Prison Sentence

During a sentencing hearing held on May 14 at the Seoul Western District Court, prosecutors asked the court to sentence Son Seung-won to four years in prison for violating the Road Traffic Act.

The final ruling is scheduled for next month on June 11.

Son was indicted in February after being arrested in November for driving while heavily intoxicated and traveling in the wrong direction along Gangbyeonbuk-ro in Seoul.

Investigators said his blood alcohol concentration measured 0.165 percent at the time of arrest, more than double South Korea’s license revocation threshold of 0.08 percent.

Police concluded that he was in no condition to operate a vehicle safely. Authorities also said he continued driving the wrong way for approximately two minutes, creating the possibility of a major traffic disaster.

🔹 False Statements and Attempted Evidence Removal

Investigators also discovered allegations that Son attempted to mislead police and conceal evidence after the incident.

Initially, Son reportedly claimed that a designated substitute driver had abandoned the vehicle before the accident occurred. However, police later determined that statement was false.

Authorities further revealed that Son contacted his girlfriend after the incident and asked her to remove the vehicle’s black box storage device. She was reportedly caught attempting to retrieve the device from the impounded vehicle.

Prosecutors are believed to view those actions as attempts to obstruct the investigation rather than a simple DUI case.

Legal observers say the possibility of another prison sentence is high given Son’s repeated drunk-driving offenses and the alleged attempts to evade responsibility following the crash.

🔹 First Celebrity Convicted Under “Yoon Chang-ho Act”

Son Seung-won has previously faced multiple drunk-driving controversies.

In 2018, he was arrested after driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.21 percent, crashing into a taxi, and fleeing the scene.

Despite already having his license revoked, he later caused another accident while driving without a license and allegedly fled again after colliding with an oncoming vehicle.

He was also accused of pressuring a junior actor riding in the vehicle to falsely claim responsibility for driving.

As a result, Son became the first celebrity convicted under the Yoon Chang-ho Act, legislation introduced to strengthen penalties for drunk driving accidents.

An appellate court eventually sentenced him to one year and six months in prison after recognizing dangerous driving resulting in injury. Because of the prison sentence, he was also exempted from mandatory military service under South Korean law.

🔹 Renewed Debate Over Celebrity DUI Crimes

The latest case has reignited public debate over repeat DUI offenses involving celebrities and whether existing punishments are sufficient deterrents.

Son Seung-won debuted in the 2009 musical Spring Awakening and later appeared in television dramas such as Hello Monster, My Lawyer, Mr. Jo, and Welcome to Waikiki.

However, his repeated drunk-driving incidents, hit-and-run allegations, and accusations of false statements have effectively halted his entertainment career.

Online reactions have been largely critical, with many arguing that repeat offenders should face significantly harsher punishment.

One-line summary : Prosecutors requested a four-year prison sentence for actor Son Seung-won over another drunk-driving offense involving wrong-way driving.