South Korean Prosecutors Seek Prison Sentence for Nam Taehyun Following Drunk Driving During Probation Period

Prosecutors in Seoul have requested an 18 month jail sentence for singer Nam Taehyun after a drunk driving incident occurred during his drug crime probation.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 12, 2026, 6:05 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Koreaboo

Legal Escalation Following Repeat Traffic Violations

The Seoul Western District Court heard final arguments on Wednesday regarding the criminal conduct of Nam Taehyun, a prominent figure in the K-pop industry. Prosecutors officially requested that the court impose a sentence of one year and six months in prison, alongside a financial penalty of one million won. The state’s case centers on the fact that Nam is a repeat offender who demonstrated a disregard for the law by driving under the influence while currently under judicial supervision.

Defense Cites Voluntary Cooperation and Social Ostracism

Legal counsel for the soloist argued for a degree of leniency, pointing to Nam’s full confession and his willingness to aid investigators. According to his attorney, the musician voluntarily provided hair and urine samples to prove his sobriety from narcotics, despite no drug charges being present in the current case. The defense further claimed that the intense public backlash and social stigma have already restricted Nam’s ability to lead a public life, suggesting that he has faced significant extrajudicial punishment.

Details of the High Speed Highway Collision

The specific charges stem from an early morning incident on April 27 of last year near the Dongjak Bridge. Authorities allege that Nam attempted to overtake another vehicle on the Gangbyeonbuk road highway before losing control and striking a central divider. While no injuries were reported from the crash, laboratory tests confirmed that Nam’s blood alcohol concentration reached 0.08 percent, a level that triggers immediate license revocation under South Korean traffic safety laws.