Child crossing street with mother killed by driver who ran red light

Prosecutors have sought a three-year prison term for a man in his 60s who ran a red light and struck an elementary school student crossing a crosswalk, killing the child.

At a hearing Tuesday at Seoul Eastern District Court before Judge Chu Jin-seok of the 5th Criminal Division, prosecutors asked the court to sentence driver Kim, 69, to three years in prison.

"As someone who drives for a living, he had a heightened duty of care, yet he blatantly ran a red light, causing the death of a young victim right before the parents' eyes," prosecutors said. "The family's grief is beyond measure, but taking into account that a settlement was reached, we ask that a three-year sentence be imposed."

Kim is accused of striking a 9-year-old elementary school student riding a bicycle and the child's mother with his vehicle at a crosswalk in Gangdong-gu at around 8:50 p.m. on July 5, when the pedestrian signal was green.

The child was rushed to a hospital but died. The mother was injured. Bereaved family members attended the hearing and wept.

Kim bowed toward the family and said, "I sincerely bow my head in apology for the pain I have caused through my wrongdoing. I will live the rest of my life in repentance."

Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 22 at 10 a.m.