Responsible for an accident that killed a grandmother in her 80s, actor Kim Min-kyo received probation sentence

It is belatedly reported that actor Kim Min-kyo was sentenced to a probation sentence in connection with an accident in which his dog bit his neighbor to death. 

According to the legal community on Mar 23rd, Judge Park Sang-han of the Seongnam branch of the Suwon District Court sentenced Kim Min-kyo to eight months in prison without forced labor and two years of probation on charges of manslaughter.

Judge Park ruled in the ruling, “The defendant violated the duty of care, which requires him to manage his dog and others by paying special attention not to harm people, even though his dog had bitten his neighbor in the past,” adding, “Considering the circumstances, methods, and degree of damage, the crime is definitely not light.” 

However, the Judge explained the reason for the sentence, saying, “We took into account the defendant’s attitude of confessing and deeply reflecting on the crime, the smooth agreement with the victim’s bereaved family, his dog being entrusted to a dog training center to prevent a recurrence, and no punishment exceeding fines.”

The ruling was finalized as it was, as neither Kim Min-kyo nor the prosecution appealed.

Earlier on May 4, 2020, Kim Min-kyo‘s dog went over the fence and bit the leg and arm of victim A in the garden behind his residence. At that time, A had received hospital treatment for about two months after the accident, but eventually died on July 3rd of the same year. 

As a result of a police investigation at the time, it was found that Kim Min-kyo released his dog without a leash and did not properly manage the fence. In response, Kim Min-kyo said, “This is an accident that shouldn’t have occurred. I feel the responsibility,” he bowed his head to apologize.