Shin Hye-sung who was sentenced to two years in prison for drunk driving complained of depression with panic disorder and will reflect on himself for life
Shin Hye-sung of the group Shinhwa appealed to the prosecution for leniency after being sentenced to two years in prison.
Shin Hye-sung attended the first trial of allegations of drunk driving and illegal use of cars held at the Criminal Division 4 of the Seoul Eastern District Court on the morning of the 6th, wearing a black hat and covering his face with a mask.
He said “I’m sorry” before the hearing and headed straight to the bench.
On the same day, the prosecution said, “The defendant has circumstances to admit that he/she used and drove another person’s vehicle without consent around November 2022 regarding the illegal use of the car. He also demanded a two-year prison term for Shin Hye-sung, saying, “Even if I was asked to take a breathalyzer test three times in total, I did not respond to the breathalyzer test.”
Lawyer Shin Hye-sung admitted all the charges and agreed to all the evidence. The lawyer said, “The defendant has suffered from panic disorder, interpersonal avoidance, and depression while working as a member of singer Shinhwa for 25 years. Symptoms have worsened since the beginning of 2021. “I didn’t drink alcohol during the period, and I was worried because the defendant’s acquaintances couldn’t contact the defendant,” he said.
“I have been experiencing serious formal difficulties for two years, but I have not received proper treatment because I am afraid that it will be known to the public. On the day of the incident, I met my acquaintances for the first time in a while, and when I drank after a few years, the film was cut off, so I couldn’t think rationally. “It is true that I made a mistake, but I did not habitually drink and drive because it was unexpected,” he said.
In addition, the lawyer said, “While the defendant was drunk, he misunderstood it as his vehicle and drove.” I didn’t mean to use another person’s vehicle without permission from the beginning. “We also agreed smoothly with the owner of the vehicle, and the owner also said he did not want to be punished.”
The lawyer said, “I also admit that I did not measure alcohol consumption. “I was asleep in the car, but I was embarrassed and did not respond to the breathalyzer test,” he said. “After I woke up, I faithfully participated in the investigation.” Of course, the Defendant should have not driven under the influence of alcohol, but I hope you consider that he/she did not intend to do it from the beginning, that there is no physical damage, and that the Defendant admits his/her fault and has a low risk of recurrence,” he/she appealed for leniency.
Shin Hye-sung then said, “I always had to show an exemplary appearance, but I’m sorry that this has disappointed and hurt many people.” I won’t let this happen again. I’ll reflect on myself for the rest of my life. “I’m sorry.”
Shin Hye-sung was arrested on October 11 last year at 1:40 a.m. for refusing to take a breathalyzer test at Tancheon 2 Bridge in Songpa-gu, Seoul.
According to a police investigation, Shin Hye-sung and his acquaintance headed to Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, the home of his acquaintance, in a car driven by a chauffeur. Since then, Shin Hye-sung has driven directly under the influence of alcohol from a convenience store in Sujeong-gu, Seongnam to Tancheon Bridge 2 in Jamsil-dong, Songpa-gu, and was caught by police who were dispatched after receiving a citizen’s report in the middle of the road.
Shin Hye-sung was arrested for refusing to take a breathalyzer test, and he was also investigated for illegal use of a car by mistaking another person’s vehicle for his own.
In response, the police also investigated whether Shin Hye-sung was suspected of car theft, but the charges of theft were not recognized as the intention of stealing the vehicle was not proven.
This is not Shin’s first drunk driving. In April 2007, he was caught driving about 400 meters to Samseong-dong after drinking in Apgujeong-dong, Seoul. At that time, Shin Hye-sung’s blood alcohol concentration was 0.097%, which corresponds to the cancellation of his license by current standards