6-Month Jail Term Sought for Actor Park Sang-min in Drunk Driving Case

GACHEON: Prosecutors have requested a six-month jail sentence for actor Park Sang-min, who faces charges of driving under the influence of alcohol in Gwacheon, a city south of Seoul, earlier this year. Park, 54, is a well-known figure in South Korea, recognized for his starring role in the "General's Son" trilogy from the 1990s. According to Yonhap News Agency, Park was accused of operating his Toyota vehicle while intoxicated on the morning of May 19, following a night of drinking. The incident occurred when he reportedly fell asleep inside his car in an alley near his residence. Police were alerted by a witness report, which led to his apprehension. Park's blood alcohol concentration was recorded at 0.163 percent, a level that mandates the revocation of his driver's license. In addition to the drunk driving charge, Park is accused of illegally using a badge that permits parking in spaces designated for disabled individuals. During a closing hearing at the Suwon District Prosecutors Office's branch in Anya ng, prosecutors demanded a six-month prison term for the actor. Park has a history of drunk driving offenses. In 2011, he was caught driving an acquaintance's vehicle in southern Seoul with a blood alcohol level exceeding the legal limit for license retention, an incident reminiscent of a similar offense in 1997, when he caused a car accident while under the influence.