'Jang Je-won's Son' Rapper Jang Yong-jun Forfeits Arrest Warrant Hearing... "I Will Accept the Consequences"

by Cho Seongpill

Published 12 Oct.2021 10:37(KST)

Updated 12 Oct.2021 11:11(KST)

Rapper Jang Yong-jun (Noel), son of People Power Party lawmaker Jang Je-won, who was booked on charges including unlicensed driving and assaulting a police officer
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Jang Yong-jun (Noel), the son of Jang Je-won, a member of the People Power Party, gave up the pre-arrest detention hearing (warrant substantive examination) scheduled at the court on the 12th. He was scheduled to appear at the warrant substantive examination that morning on charges of refusing a breathalyzer test and assaulting the police, for which a pre-arrest warrant had been requested.

Through his lawyer, Jang stated on the day, "I will accept the punishment for my wrongdoing," and "With a repentant heart, I will forgo the warrant substantive examination." As Jang gave up the warrant substantive examination, the court will proceed with the hearing to decide on detention in writing without the presence of the suspect and his lawyer. The presiding judge is Moon Seong-gwan, the warrant-specialized chief judge at the Seoul Central District Court. The decision on whether to issue the warrant is expected to be made in the afternoon.

Jang is accused of driving a Mercedes-Benz vehicle and causing a collision at an intersection in Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, around 10:30 p.m. on the 18th of last month, then refusing the breathalyzer test and headbutting a police officer. The police applied for an arrest warrant on the 1st for violations of the Road Traffic Act (refusal of breathalyzer test and unlicensed driving), injury, and obstruction of official duties. Subsequently, the prosecution interviewed Jang in accordance with the 'suspect interview before arrest warrant request' procedure introduced in July this year, and then requested the arrest warrant.

Jang was already indicted last June on charges including drunk driving and 'driver substitution,' and was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison with a 2-year probation. In April this year, he was also sent to the prosecution for assaulting a pedestrian in Busan. If Jang is sentenced to imprisonment without prison labor or heavier penalties for the current charges of refusal of breathalyzer test and unlicensed driving, the previously granted probation will be revoked.