SOURCE: 임성근, 음주운전 3번 아닌 '전과 5범'이라고? 팬들 '충격
It has been confirmed that chef Im Sung-geun, who gained attention through Netflix's 'Culinary Class Wars 2,' has a more extensive history of drunk driving than previously known. Unlike his own confession, reports show that he was caught for drunk driving 4 times and has a total of 5 prior convictions according to court rulings.
On the 20th, Dong-A Ilbo reported that after reviewing court records, Im Sung-geun was sentenced to a fine of 5 million KRW for drunk driving on September 21, 1999. According to the report, he was caught driving about 3 km in Incheon at around 8.25 PM (KST) on August 15 that year with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.153%. This number far exceeded the limit for license revocation standard at the time (0.1%)
Notably, it was revealed that Im Sung-geun was driving without license at the time and was driving a motorcycle owned by his wife. As the result, he was detained for 37 days. Furthermore, the ruling states that this occurred while he was already serving a probation. Im Sung-geun had previously been sentenced to 8 months in prison, suspended for 2 years, and a fine of 300,000 KRW for violating the Road Traffic Act on March 25,1998.
Previouly, on the 18th, Im Sung-geun posted an apology on his Youtube channel, confessing, "I committed drunk driving about 3 times in the past 10 years." However, reports confirmed that he was actually caught for drunk driving 4 times. Combined with additional Road Traffic Act Violations, he has 5 prior convictions in total. Controversy is growing over the accuracy of his confession.
At the time of his confession, Im Sung-geun explained that he was apologizing preemptively, saying, "A wrong is a wrong." However, as difference between his statement and court records came to light, public sentiment has grown even colder. Some critics pointed out, "Was he downplaying it?" and "Trust is key, but the facts don't match."
The aftermath continues to escalate as his appearances on various variety shows and other broadcast activities are being canceled one after another.
