Choi Jong Hoon Reads Apology Letter in Appeal Trial Over Unauthorized Filming and Bribery Charges
In 2016, Choi Jong Hoon was charged for his drunk driving incident. In the same year, together with celebrity Jung Joon Young, he was charged with aggravated rape in Gangwon Province, and in Daegu along with three other individuals. They faced charges for filming and spreading footage that they documented illegally.
Initially, the prosecution had asked for seven years in prison for Jung Joon Young and five years for Choi Jong Hoon. They were required to undergo a sexual violence rehabilitation program.
Furthermore, Choi Jong Hoon also faced charges for bribing the police officer with the amount of 2 million KRW to cover up his drunk driving scandal. The actor had his first hearing for his appeal on the charges for bribing the police officer and violating the law on sexual violence by distributing illegal footage on June 8 at the Seoul Central District Court.
Prior to the recent court hearing, the actor confessed to the allegations for illegal filming and distribution charges, but he denied allegations of offering bribes to the police officer.
In due course, he was sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for two years in probation, and lastly, 80 hours in the program of sexual violence rehabilitation, to whom he subsequently filed an appeal on his sentence.
When the appeal took place, Choi Jong Hoon read out his apology letter. An excerpt from the letter said: "I regret the foolish and wrong behavior in which I engaged. I have entirely lost my dream, but when I think about the crimes I committed, I think that I must certainly bear with it. I'm sorry for incurring public criticism due to my disgraceful acts. I will keep this case in mind and live with a heavy heart."
More so, the argument of representatives of the actor is to have lenient treatment over the actor, the fact that he did not deny allegations and admitted his offense for his crimes when the first trial took place.
Choi Jong Hoon's lawyer stated the charge of expressing intent to bribe. He said that the actor accidentally said that he would give money, but the amount was not huge. He did not even attempt to take money out. After the actor was arrested, he did not show any intention of bribing. The police even thought that it was a joke. The actor is currently reflecting on his behavior.
Regarding the spreading of the illegal material, the lawyer confirmed that he uploaded the photo to the chat group. They do not presume that the sentence be reduced because only a few people have seen the material, and there was no specific victim, and the content was not spread extensively.
The sentence will be decided in the second hearing on July 23.
Further, this is a separate case from the ongoing appeal over their sentences for the charge of aggravated rape.
