Seoul: Popera star Kim Ho-joong has been sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison by a local court for fleeing the scene of an accident involving a taxi, while also turning his manager in to the authorities on his behalf. The Seoul Central District Court delivered the sentence on Wednesday, citing Kim’s irresponsible behavior in causing damage to the taxi and its driver while driving under the influence.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the court highlighted that Kim’s actions contributed to confusion during the police investigation, as he made his manager falsely surrender himself. The court questioned Kim’s sense of guilt, noting his actions following the accident, such as purchasing beer before checking into a motel, seemingly to manipulate his blood alcohol content.

The 33-year-old singer was indicted while under arrest for the May 9 incident in Seoul’s Gangnam Ward, where he rammed his car into a stationary taxi, fled the scene, and later had his manager turn himself in. Kim acknowledged his responsibility 1
0 days after the incident, which the court considered in the sentencing, alongside his compensation payment to the victim.

Additionally, the court sentenced the head and a senior official of Kim’s agency to two years and 2 1/2 years in prison, respectively, for attempting to cover up the incident. Kim’s manager received a suspended one-year prison term for his false surrender. While police had initially filed for a DUI charge, the prosecution removed it due to challenges in obtaining an accurate retroactive blood alcohol measurement.

Prosecutors had sought a 3 1/2-year prison term for Kim. Following the ruling, Kim left the courtroom without comment, as around 30 of his fans expressed their disappointment in the public gallery. His lawyer, when approached by reporters, simply stated, “sorry.”