A man in his 50s who struck a North Korean defector with his vehicle just two weeks after his release from custody now faces a suspended sentence of one year and eight months.
Details of the Latest Accident
Officials from the Cheongju District Prosecutor’s Office announced the sentencing on the 22nd. The driver, identified as A, crashed into a pedestrian in Hwungdeok-gu, Cheongju, Chungbuk Province, at around 3:30 a.m. on October 11. Witnesses reported that he remarked, “It feels like hitting something akin to a grandmother stabbed by a knife,” before fleeing the scene.
Upon rearrest, A admitted partial responsibility, stating, “I must have been drunk,” before abruptly ending the call.
The incident injured six pedestrians and three company employees who were present, but only A faced prosecution.
Pattern of Recidivism
This marks the second such offense for A. In February 2023, he struck another North Korean defector near the National Assembly, receiving a suspended sentence of one year and six months. He was released in September and reoffended within two weeks.
Prosecutors’ Stance
Prosecutors emphasized that the harm to victims extends beyond mere numbers, highlighting the emotional toll from investigations and victim statements. They noted, “The recklessness shown just two weeks after release raises serious concerns about the driver’s judgment and public safety.”
