Hanwha chief's son gets suspended jail term for drunken rampage

By Lee Han-soo

Kim Dong-seon

The youngest son of Hanwha Group’s chief received a suspended jail term Wednesday for drunken violence.

Seoul Central District Court sentenced Kim Dong-seon to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, and 80 hours of community service.

Kim, the son of Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn, was charged with assaulting bar employees and obstructing police while drunk on Jan. 5.

“The collected evidence proves that the defendant committed a serious crime,” Judge Lee Jong-woo said in a ruling statement. “The court decided the ruling after taking into consideration that he acknowledged his wrongdoing and expressed regret over the action.”

Kim pleaded guilty and apologized during a Feb. 22 hearing.

“I deeply regret what I have done and feel sorry for the victims,” Kim said. “I will make sure it won't happen again.”

Kim was a gold medalist in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games' group equestrian event and worked at the construction unit of the country's eighth-largest business group until the court issued an arrest warrant in January, which led to his resignation.