Moon Da-hye (43), daughter of former President Moon Jae-in, had her sentence upheld in the first trial, where she was fined 15 million won for drunk driving and operating an illegal lodging business. [Photo=Yonhap News]

The original sentence was upheld for Moon Da-hye (43), daughter of former President Moon Jae-in, who was fined 15 million won in the first trial for drunk driving and operating an illegal lodging business.

The Criminal Appeals Division 2-3 of the Seoul Western District Court (Presiding Judge Im Ki-hwan) rejected both the prosecution's and the defendant's appeals in Moon Da-hye's appellate trial, upholding the first trial's verdict.

Regarding Moon Da-hye's appeal, the appellate court stated, "There have been no changes in the sentencing conditions compared to the first trial, and the sentencing in the first trial did not exceed the reasonable scope of discretion."

Previously, the first trial court stated, "The defendant's blood alcohol concentration at the time of drunk driving was high, and the period of operating unregistered lodging businesses in three locations was long, making the nature of the offense not light," while also considering "the defendant's admission of guilt and lack of prior criminal punishment as favorable circumstances," and imposed a fine of 15 million won.

Moon Da-hye was indicted on charges including drunk driving under the Road Traffic Act, for colliding with a taxi while driving under the influence in front of the Hamilton Hotel in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, on October 5, 2024.

At the time of the accident, her blood alcohol concentration was found to be 0.149%, exceeding the license revocation standard (0.08%).

Furthermore, Moon Da-hye is also accused of operating illegal lodging businesses in an officetel in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, a villa in Yangpyeong-dong, and a detached house in Hyeopjae-ri, Hallim-eup, Jeju City, in violation of the Public Health Control Act. Moon Da-hye's earnings from these operations over approximately five years amounted to about 136 million won.

In the final hearing for the appeal held on November 27 last year, the prosecution requested a one-year prison sentence, similar to the first trial.

Reporter Lim Yo-hee