Actor Lee Jae-ryong, suspected of fleeing the scene after causing a drunk driving accident, was questioned by police on the 10th—four days after the incident—and returned home after approximately four hours of investigation.
Exiting the police station around 6:16 p.m. wearing a black suit, Lee stated, "I am truly sorry for causing concern to many people through my wrongful actions." He added, "I told them everything truthfully and will faithfully comply with all upcoming legal procedures."
When reporters asked whether he admitted to drunk driving charges, he replied, "I admitted it right away long ago." Regarding why he fled after the accident, he said, "I was not aware of it," adding, "I will explain separately later."
The Seoul Gangnam Police Station summoned Lee around 2 p.m. as a suspect facing charges of drunk driving and failing to take measures after an accident under the Road Traffic Act, questioning him about the circumstances of fleeing after causing the drunk driving accident.
Police have identified indications that Lee attended multiple drinking gatherings on the day of the accident and are focusing on calculating his blood alcohol concentration at the time using the "Widmark formula."
On the 6th around 11 p.m., Lee was driving near Cheongdam Station on Subway Line 7 when he struck a median barrier and fled. He was apprehended by police at an acquaintance's home approximately three hours later.
Lee's blood alcohol level at the time of arrest was at the license suspension level. He denied drunk driving charges during his initial investigation. However, the following day on the 7th, he admitted through his attorney that "he drove after drinking four glasses of soju and thought he had only slightly grazed the median barrier."
Lee reportedly denied allegations that he attempted so-called "drinking after fleeing"—a tactic of consuming additional alcohol after escaping to avoid having his intoxication level determined.
Police plan to determine how to proceed with Lee's case based on the investigation conducted that day.