Comedian Lee Hyuk-jae Booked for Drunk Driving After Collision... Explains, 'Had a Couple of Drinks Impulsively Near Home'

Comedian Lee Hyuk-jae (53) has been booked by police after driving under the influence and crashing into a motorcycle.

The Incheon Yeonsu Police Station announced on the 9th that it has booked Lee without detention on charges of drunk driving under the Road Traffic Act and is investigating the case. Lee is suspected of driving a vehicle while intoxicated around 10:00 PM the previous day on a road in Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, and rear-ending a motorcycle that was waiting at a traffic light. At the time of the accident, Lee's blood alcohol concentration was reportedly at the license suspension level (0.03% or higher and less than 0.08%).

As news of the accident broke, Lee expressed apologies for the fact of drunk driving itself through an interview with JTBC's Entertainment News, while explaining, "I impulsively had a couple of drinks with acquaintances at a place about 300 meters from my house the previous night. While driving, a delivery motorcycle cut in front of me while waiting for a signal, and although I wasn't driving actively, my cell phone dropped so I was picking it up, which caused the brake to release and lightly bump into 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, public reaction to these explanations remains cold. Critics pointed out that "regardless of whether he was driving or not, sitting in the driver's seat after drinking and failing to control the brake itself proves the danger of drunk driving." In particular, the part about causing the accident while picking up a cell phone has drawn reactions that it is tantamount to admitting to "carelessness after drinking," making it even harder to understand.

Previously, Lee was embroiled in a controversy over his qualifications last 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 case 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 young politicians. Lee explained at the time that he had "unfairly incurred tax arrears" and showed his determination to continue his activities.

(Photo: Yonhap News) (Reported by Kang Kyung-yoon, SBS Entertainment News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.