“I Use Public Transportation,” Nam Taehyun Seeks Leniency for Drunk-Driving Accident During Drug Probation

Accident near Dongjak Bridge in April last year
Trial court sentenced him to one year in prison and fined him 1 million won

The appeal hearing for a drunk-driving accident involving Nam Tae-hyun, 32, formerly of the group WINNER, was held while he was serving a suspended sentence for a drug offense.

Nam Taehyun, formerly of the idol group WINNER. Yonhap News.

On October 22, the Seoul Western District Court's 2nd Criminal Appeals Division, presided over by Judges Lee Dong-sik, Jeong Seong-gyun and Lee Hyun-woo, held the first hearing in Nam's appeal on charges including violating the Road Traffic Act and concluded arguments.

Nam's attorney said, "The defendant admitted to the offense from the time his drunk driving was discovered and cooperated fully with the breath test and the investigation." The attorney added, "Please take into account that his previous drunk-driving offense occurred when he moved a friend's car about 5 meters to let another vehicle pass."

The attorney continued, "For the past year, the defendant has been supporting himself by working as an ordinary company employee." The attorney said Nam "has reflected on his past mistakes and is remorseful, including by taking part in volunteer activities while working."

In his final statement, Nam said, "In the past, when things got difficult, I would give up on myself and try to run away in the wrong way. But I have now realized that I must not live like that." He added, "I struggled to find a job, but now I am fulfilling my responsibilities. I have completely stopped drinking and use public transportation."

He said, "I have continued volunteering and attending counseling, and have tried to change my way of life so I do not repeat the same mistake." He vowed, "I will never again endanger another person's life or safety through my poor choices."

He pleaded, "If you give me the chance to live without ever forgetting my wrongdoing, I will never take it lightly. I sincerely ask you to consider the time I have spent reflecting and making an effort, and to show me leniency."

Nam was indicted on charges of crashing into the median barrier while attempting to overtake the vehicle in front of him near Dongjak Bridge on the Ilsan-bound side of Gangbyeonbuk-ro in Seoul at around 4:10 a.m. on April 27, 2025. No one was injured, but his blood alcohol concentration was at or above 0.08%, the threshold for license revocation. Investigators found that he had been driving at 182 km/h on a road with a speed limit of 80 km/h.

On April 1, 2026, the trial court sentenced Nam to one year in prison and a fine of 1 million won. Nam appealed, citing an excessive sentence, while prosecutors asked the court to dismiss the appeal.

Nam was previously sentenced in January 2024 to one year in prison, suspended for two years, for violating the Narcotics Control Act. He caused the drunk-driving accident with about nine months remaining in his probation period.

Meanwhile, before entering the courthouse, Nam briefly replied, "I'm sorry," when reporters asked whether he had anything to say to his disappointed fans. The appellate court is scheduled to deliver its ruling on November 19.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.