Unlicensed ambulance driver paid to drive g.o.d's Kim Tae Woo to an event sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison

In an unfolding legal case, a 44-year-old unlicensed ambulance driver, hereafter mentioned as A, who ferried singer Kim Tae Woo, member of 1st generation's iconic group g.o.d, for a fee, has been sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison along with a 2 million KRW (approx. US$1,670) fine. This verdict comes as a result of A's violations of the Emergency Medical Services Act and driving without a valid license under the Road Traffic Act.

The incident dates back to March 2018 when A transported Kim Tae Woo from Ilsan, Goyang, to an event venue in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, using an unlicensed ambulance. At the time, a representative from the entertainment company to which Tae Woo was affiliated allegedly shared A's contact information with an event management company employee, noting that the use of an unlicensed ambulance could help avoid traffic congestion.

Subsequently, the event management company employee contacted A, requesting that Kim Tae Woo be transported, and A accepted 300,000 KRW ($250) as payment for the service.

In connection with this incident, the prosecution also took legal action against the entertainment company executive, the event management company employee, and Kim Tae Woo himself, charging them with violations of the Emergency Medical Services Act.

It's worth noting that the legal action against Kim Tae Woo and the others took the form of a simplified prosecution, a procedure that allows for the imposition of fines or property confiscation without a full trial.

A, who had previous records of driving under the influence, was also charged with operating an ambulance without a license from August 2021 to March 2022. Judge Hong Jun Seo remarked that A's persistent excuses and prior offenses, including drunk driving, warranted a strict penalty.

Kim Tae Woo, who made his debut as the main vocalist of the group g.o.d in 1999, is celebrated as a national idol, known for numerous hit songs. In 2009, he embarked on a solo career with the release of "Love Rain," and in recent years, he has also held concerts with other g.o.d members.