World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
Nam Tae-hyun asks for leniency in appeal of drink-driving sentence
Singer Nam Tae-hyun asked for a lighter sentence at the first hearing of his appeal in Seoul on October 22.
He was convicted of drink-driving and speeding after a crash near Dongjak Bridge in Seoul in April 2025; no one was injured.
He was sentenced to one year in prison and fined 1 million won in April, and appealed on the grounds that the punishment was too severe.
Prosecutors asked the court to reject his appeal.
The case follows earlier drink-driving and drug convictions: Nam had received a fine for a previous drink-driving offence and a suspended prison sentence in a drug case.
Nam told the court he has stopped drinking, uses public transport, has found a job and continues volunteer work and counselling.
The appeals court will issue its decision on November 19.
Singer Nam Tae-hyun asked for leniency at the first hearing of his appeal against a one-year prison sentence and a fine of 1 million won for drink-driving.
He admitted wrongdoing and said he had stopped drinking, used public transport and changed his way of life.
His lawyers argued that he had cooperated with the investigation and was working and taking part in volunteer activities.
The prosecution asked the court to reject his appeal.
The appeal court set November 19 for its ruling.
- Who
- Singer Nam Tae-hyun, who is appealing his sentence.
- What
- He asked for leniency in his appeal of a one-year prison sentence and a fine of 1 million won for drink-driving.
- When
- The appeal hearing was held on October 22, 2026.
- Where
- Seoul Western District Court, South Korea.
- Why
- He appealed on the grounds that his sentence was too severe.
Nam Tae-hyun's defence
The prosecution
Sentence
Nam Tae-hyun's defence
The defence argued that the sentence was too severe and asked the court to consider his remorse and efforts to change.
The prosecution
The prosecution asked the court to dismiss the appeal.
Prior conduct
Nam Tae-hyun's defence
The defence said his earlier drink-driving incident involved moving a friend's car about five metres.
The prosecution
The prosecution's position on that specific account was not stated.
Nam Tae-hyun was sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for two years, in a separate drug case.
He allegedly drove into a central barrier near Dongjak Bridge on Seoul's Gangbyeonbuk-ro; no one was injured.
A court sentenced him to one year in prison and a fine of 1 million won for the drink-driving case.
The appeal hearing was held, and the prosecution asked the court to dismiss his appeal.
The appeal court scheduled its ruling.
- First-instance sentence
- One year in prison and a fine of 1 million won
- Appeal hearing
- October 22, 2026
- Ruling date
- November 19, 2026
- Crash location
- Near Dongjak Bridge on Gangbyeonbuk-ro, Seoul
- Alleged speed
- 182 km/h in an 80 km/h zone
3 sources
What people are saying
Drink-driving is a wrong that cannot be excused for any reason, and I deeply regret it.
I will not let alcohol cloud my judgment. I will not threaten other people's lives and safety.
I have completely stopped drinking and use public transport.