Han Sun-kyo, a Saenuri Party lawmaker and head of the Korean Basketball League, apologized Tuesday for riding in a car driven by a drunk woman last week while knowing she was under the influence.

The main opposition Democratic United Party criticized him for not preventing drunk driving and the arrogance he allegedly displayed during police questioning.

Han was riding in the car after drinking together with his supporters, including the 40-year-old woman surnamed Jung, when it hit a passerby near a residential area in Suji district in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province around 10 p.m. Thursday.

The passerby was not injured. Right after the incident Han was called to the nearby police station after a witness reported it to the police.

The woman, whose blood-alcohol level was 0.128, more than twice the legal limit of 0.05, was charged with drunk driving. But Han was released without charge, the police said.

The 53-year-old lawmaker said he had a dinner along with a bottle of makgeolli together with his three backers, including Jung. After the dinner Jung offered him a ride to a nearby taxi stop, Han claimed.

“It was my fault that I did not know how drunk she was,” he said.

Meanwhile, the main opposition party claimed Monday that while being questioned by the police Han yelled and demanded the chief of the police station come out to meet him in person.

Han denied the allegation, claiming that the opposition party was making a false accusation to harm his reputation. 

By Oh Kyu-wook (596story@herldm.com)