South Korean actor Lee Jae-ryong faces DUI and hit-and-run probe amid tighter laws
A 61-year-old South Korean actor, Lee Jae-ryong, is under investigation for drunk driving and hit-and-run, with a police-added charge of hindering a breath-alcohol test. Seoul’s Gangnam Police announced the new charge on the 13th, in connection with an incident earlier this month.
The crash occurred around 11 p.m. on the 6th near the central divider by Cheongdam Station on Seoul Subway Line 7. Lee allegedly collided with the divider, then fled the scene without taking steps to report or address the incident. He later parked his car at his Cheongdam-dong residence and went to a nearby restaurant.
At the restaurant, Lee reportedly met a friend and ordered one bottle of distilled liquor and two servings of meat. He had previously admitted drinking before the crash but denied suspicions that he attempted to exceed the limit or conceal intoxication.
Police arrested him about three hours after the incident at a friend's home. Reports indicate his blood-alcohol concentration at the scene was at a level associated with license suspension.
Lee was summoned for police questioning on the 10th and said he told investigators the truth and would comply with legal procedures. He also stated that he did not realize the accident occurred at the time.
This case adds to a profile of prior DUI issues in Lee’s career; he faced license cancellation in 2003 following a DUI incident that involved a collision during a lane change. The term “drinking after” (sulta-gi) describes drinking after an incident to mask intoxication, a practice that drew attention in 2024 when singer Kim Ho-joon faced public scrutiny over a similar case. The Kim Ho-joon Prevention Law, enacted last year and now in effect, treats attempts to drink to avoid DUI checks as equivalent to refusing a breath test.
For international readers, the episode highlights South Korea’s ongoing tightening of drunk-driving enforcement and penalties, a trend closely watched by global companies, travelers, and investors. It also reflects how public figures’ legal troubles can intersect with the entertainment industry’s obligations, sponsorships, and international perception of Korean culture and governance.