Kim Young-kwang cleared of retaliatory driving suspicion... Both police and prosecution decide not to indict

Kim Young-kwang addressed the recent allegations of retaliatory driving through his official statement on social media. On the 9th, Kim Young-kwang apologized for causing concern and worry to many people due to the recent reports in a post on SNS. He stated that he cooperated sincerely with the police investigation related to the incident and that, so far, he has received a decision of non-prosecution and no charges. Kim Young-kwang said he has reflected on his judgment and actions while driving, adding, ″In any situation, momentary judgment should never come before safety, and on the road, one must consider the safety and position of others.″ He also expressed that, regardless of the legal judgment, he takes seriously the fact that his driving may have caused anxiety or discomfort to others. He continued, ″I sincerely apologize once again to those who have watched over and supported me for causing disappointment and concern.″ This incident was revealed through an SBS report on the 8th. It was disclosed that a taxi driver in Mapo-gu, Seoul, reported to the police that he was subjected to retaliatory driving by a white SUV vehicle, and attention was drawn as the driver of the vehicle was identified as a former national team athlete. The taxi driver claimed that the SUV drove threateningly after overtaking his vehicle. The police acknowledged some of Kim Young-kwang’s driving behavior but judged that there was insufficient evidence to prove he intentionally threatened the other driver, issuing a non-prosecution decision in June. The taxi driver filed an objection afterward, but the prosecution also concluded that the retaliatory driving charges were not valid and dismissed the case. Kim Young-kwang was a member of the national soccer team from 2004 to 2012. After retiring from his athletic career in 2023, he appeared on various entertainment programs such as SBS’s ″Same Bed, Different Dreams 2 - You Are My Destiny,″ ″Kick a Goal, Girls,″ and Wavve’s ″Game of Blood 3.″ Recently, he signed an exclusive contract with SM C&C and continues his broadcasting activities.