Former Jeju provincial lawmaker summarily indicted over 8 years, 10 months of unlicensed driving

Former Jeju Provincial Council member Hyun Ji-hong has been summarily indicted on charges of driving without a license for 8 years and 10 months.

According to Yonhap on Thursday, the Jeju District Prosecutors' Office summarily indicted Hyun on charges of violating the Road Traffic Act by driving without a license. Under a summary indictment, prosecutors ask the court to impose a fine or other penalty through a written review, without a formal trial.

Hyun is accused of driving without a license from June 2017, when his license was revoked, until March this year. A police officer on patrol caught him driving without a license at a parking lot in Nohyeong-dong, Jeju, on the afternoon of March 31.

The officer reportedly discovered that Hyun's vehicle was unlicensed while conducting a random check using a vehicle inquiry device typically used to identify stolen vehicles or those belonging to wanted individuals.

Hyun, who was a proportional representative for the Democratic Party of Korea on the provincial council at the time, addressed the case on social media after it came to light, saying, "My license was revoked because I failed to renew it. I was unaware of this when I drove and was caught driving without a license." He added, "It was my fault for not properly checking my mail due to frequent moves and party activities."

The same day, Hyun withdrew his candidacy as a preliminary candidate for the provincial council seat representing Nohyeong-dong, Jeju, in the June 3 local elections. He also stepped down from his seat on the 12th Jeju Provincial Council. The Jeju Seobu Police Station referred the case to prosecutors in June.