Outraged South Koreans demand ban on singer Kim Ho-joong over hit-and-run allegations

South Korean police requested arrest warrants on Wednesday for singer Kim Ho-joong, 33, and executives of his agency over allegations of drink-driving and hit-and-run.

Kim is accused of being involved in a hit-and-run incident around 11:40pm on May 9 in Apgujeong-dong, Seoul’s Gangnam district. He allegedly collided with an oncoming vehicle on a two-lane road and fled the scene. He is also suspected of driving under the influence.

The police, continuing their investigation into the drink-driving allegations, have applied charges of fleeing the scene after causing injury and dangerous driving causing injury against Kim.

The agency’s CEO is accused of orchestrating a driver swap to cover up the incident (aiding and abetting a criminal), while the head of operations is accused of removing the memory card from Kim’s vehicle (evidence tampering).

Amid growing public outrage against Kim, petitions calling for his permanent ban from the music industry have surfaced.

Kim plans to proceed with his scheduled performances in Seoul on May 23-24.

As of Wednesday morning, over 10 petitions demanding Kim’s permanent removal from broadcasts were posted on the KBS viewer petition board.

KBS is required to respond to petitions that receive 1,000 signatures within 30 days. Two petitions regarding Kim’s expulsion have already surpassed this threshold.

The initial petitioner, identified as A, said, “I am furious and trembling with anger at the shamelessness of Kim Ho-joong, who, despite committing a crime, is brazenly pushing forward with his Changwon performance without any sign of remorse, blinded by greed for money. If KBS continues to feature Kim Ho-joong, it will be stigmatised as an institution that supports and shelters criminals.”

Another