Drunk Driving During Probation for Drug Charges: Prosecutors Seek Prison Sentence for Nam Taehyun

by Oh Jieun

Published 12 Mar.2026 18:45(KST)

Updated 12 Mar.2026 18:57(KST)

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Charged with Violating the Road Traffic Act During Probation
Crashed into Central Divider While Driving at 182 km/h

Prosecutors have requested a prison sentence for singer Nam Taehyun, a former member of the idol group Winner, who was brought to trial on charges of causing a drunk driving accident during his probation period for a previous drug offense.

Former member of the idol group Winner, Nam Taehyun. Photo by Yonhap News

At the sentencing hearing held on March 12, 2026, before Presiding Judge Yang Eunsang of the 11th Criminal Division of the Seoul Western District Court, prosecutors asked the court to sentence Nam to one year and six months in prison and a fine of 1 million won for charges of drunk driving and exceeding the speed limit under the Road Traffic Act.

During the trial, prosecutors explained their reasoning for the sentencing request, stating, "Nam committed the offense again despite a prior record of drunk driving, and at the time of the incident, he was still under probation for another case."

In his final statement, Nam said, "Under pressure to create and express something, I have wrapped my immaturity, shortcomings, and foolishness in emotional expression. I have realized that I am the cause of everything and will make sure not to repeat the same mistake."

Nam had previously been indicted for driving under the influence and crashing into a central divider near Dongjak Bridge on the Gangbyeonbuk-ro expressway toward Ilsan at around 4:10 a.m. on April 27, 2025. At the time, his blood alcohol concentration was 0.122%, exceeding the license revocation standard of 0.08%.

He was also charged with speeding, as he drove at 182 km/h in a zone with a speed limit of 80 km/h. There were no casualties or serious injuries as a result of the accident, and Nam was not severely hurt.

In January 2024, Nam had received a sentence of one year in prison, suspended for two years, for drug use, and was thus still within his probation period at the time of the accident.