Choi Jong Hoon, a former member of FT Island, shed tears as he admitted his charges of illegal filming. However, he denied the allegation of bribery related to his drunk driving.
On March 18, Choi’s trail took place at the Seoul Central District Court. In this trail, the prosecution demanded the prison sentence of one year and six months, penalties of being a registered sex offender, completing a sex offender reformation program and being banned from working in institutes related to children and adolescents for five years.
Choi was prosecuted for illegal filming and disseminated those in a group chat back in 2016. He was also accused for trying to bribe a police officer with 2 million KRW (approximately 1,778 USD) after being caught for drunk driving.
In response to the accusations, Choi’s lawyer stated, “He admitted of trying to hand 2 million KRW to the police.” However, since “the defendant was drunk at the time and was trying to avoid the situation, the allegations are untrue and we intend to contest the bribery charges.”
Also, Choi admitted his guilt to the charges of sharing illegally filmed footage and the lawyer asked the court to “consider the fact that he did not show the victims’ faces” in the footage and also the fact that “Choi Jong Hoon is not the first disseminator.”
During the last statement, Choi shed tears, appealing the court for leniency.
Choi said, “I deeply regret my foolish behaviors and I accept the punishment. If and when I return to society, I will help the community as a ordinary man.”
Choi Jong Hoon’s sentence for the bribery charges will be announced on the afternoon of March 27.
