Comedian Lee Hyuk-jae, 53, has been booked by police after getting behind the wheel while intoxicated and rear-ending a motorcycle.
On the 9th, the Incheon Yeonsu Police Station announced that it is investigating Lee without detention on charges of drunk driving under the Road Traffic Act. Lee is accused of driving under the influence around 10:00 p.m. the previous day on a road in Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, and colliding with a motorcycle waiting at a traffic light. At the time of the accident, Lee's blood alcohol concentration was reportedly at the level for license suspension (0.03% or higher and less than 0.08%).
As news of the accident broke, Lee expressed apologies for the drunk driving itself in an interview with JTBC EnterNews, while explaining, "I ended up having a couple of drinks on a whim with acquaintances at a location about 300 meters from my home last night. While driving, a delivery motorcycle cut in front of me while I was stopped at a traffic light. Although I was not actively driving at that moment, my cell phone dropped, and as I bent down to pick it up, the brakes slipped and I made minor contact with the motorcycle." He also emphasized that he personally reported the incident to the police and that the motorcycle rider's injuries were not severe.
However, the public response to these explanations has been cold. Critics pointed out that "regardless of whether the vehicle was in motion, sitting in the driver's seat after drinking and failing to control the brakes in itself proves the dangers of drunk driving." In particular, the explanation about causing the accident while picking up a cell phone has drawn backlash, with many reacting that it amounts to a self-admission of "post-drinking carelessness" and is therefore unacceptable.
Previously, Lee was embroiled in a controversy over his qualifications back in March when he was selected as a judge for the People Power Party's "Proportional Representative Youth Audition for Metropolitan Council Members." At the time, his past assault incident involving a room salon employee and his history of high-amount tax arrears were re-examined, sparking fierce criticism asking whether he was qualified to judge youth politicians. Lee countered the criticism at the time by claiming his tax arrears were unfair and expressed his intent to continue his activities.
kykang@sbs.co.kr
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.