Nephew of chaebol gets 2 yrs. for drunk driving

The 32-year-old nephew of a conglomerate chairman was sentenced to two years in prison Thursday for driving drunk while a police officer clung to the side of his car. A criminal panel at the Seoul District Court convicted Shin Dong-Hak of obstructing official police business and injuring a police officer.

Shin was charged with causing serious injury to the police officer and the court sentenced him to ``an extended period of imprisonment in order to meet mounting public demands for a strict clampdown on drunk driving and defiance of law and order.`` Intoxication does not justify a blatant challenge to police officers, the court said, adding that Shin`s willingness to pay damages shouldn`t exonerate him from this ``grave misdeed.``

Shin ran into a car from behind near Samsong-dong in southern Seoul last October while driving under the influence of alcohol. He then refused to remain at the scene and left the police officer in question dangling from his car when he fled. Doctors said injuries to the officer were serious enough to require three months of treatment. Shin was subsequently arrested.

Lee Jung-Eun lightee@donga.com