Smiling mugshot of Korean woman held on DUI charge in Georgia draws bail offers online
In short
A mugshot of a Korean woman surnamed Kim, detained in Hall County, Georgia, on the 11th on four charges including drunk driving, drew online comments offering to pay her bail after it showed her smiling. The Georgia Gazette published the arrest record on the 15th (local time). Korean outlets note that an arrest record is not a conviction.
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A mugshot of a Korean woman arrested in Hall County, Georgia, drew attention online after the photo showed her smiling, Korean outlets reported. The Georgia Gazette, a site that publishes arrest records, released her mugshot and record on the 15th, local time. According to the record, the woman, identified only as Kim in most reports, was detained on the 11th. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 ]
She faces four charges: drunk driving, speeding, driving with an expired registration plate and breaching requirements to signal when changing lanes or turning. Asia Economy and CBS NoCut News said that, unlike a typical mugshot with a blank or stern face, she looked straight at the camera and smiled. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 ]
The photo was shared on social media, including the Facebook page Hall County Crime, according to CBS NoCut News. Korea Economic Daily described the page as one that reports local arrests. One user wrote that he had money to pay her bail. Others replied that they did too, asked whether three people could split the bail, said they would act as her bail bondsman or wrote that they could save her. CBS NoCut News said mugshot posts usually draw few comments, but this one was shared more than 140 times and drew dozens of reactions. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 ]
Two outlets reported jokes and criticism. Korea Economic Daily and CBS NoCut News said one user wrote "Ok, say Kim Chi!". CBS NoCut News also quoted a Korean user who criticised the smile, saying he had thought it was "Life Four Cuts" (인생네컷). CBS NoCut News further reported that the Georgia Gazette re-shared the post, which had been published five days earlier, saying the case was drawing a lot of attention. [ 3 , 5 ]
Newsis said the case was presented on JTBC's programme Sagun Banjang on the 20th, where it named her as Esther Kim (에스더 김). Newsis and Seoul Economic Daily said the programme also discussed how US publication of mugshots differs from Korea, where not every suspect's face or identity is released on arrest. Korea Economic Daily compared the reaction with past Korean cases in which some people praised suspects' looks and said such fandom for suspects is sometimes called hybristophilia, which it said is not an official mental illness. [ 3 , 4 , 6 ]
Asia Economy, CBS NoCut News and Seoul Economic Daily set out Georgia law. A first drunk-driving offender found guilty can face a fine of 300 to 1,000 dollars and 10 days to 12 months in custody. A court can suspend the custody term, but a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or higher requires at least 24 hours in custody. Community service, a drunk-driving prevention course and licence suspension can follow a conviction. Seoul Economic Daily said a conviction also brings at least 40 hours of community service and a 12-month licence suspension. [ 2 , 5 , 6 ]
Korea Economic Daily and Seoul Economic Daily stressed that the published record is an arrest record and not a finding of guilt. Seoul Economic Daily said her exact blood alcohol level, how the arrest came about and whether she was released on bail have not been made public, and that no payment of bail as suggested in the comments has been confirmed. [ 3 , 6 ]
Why it matters
Korean business outlets used the case to compare US publication of mugshots with Korea's practice and to restate Georgia's penalties for drunk driving. The documents give no sign that the case goes beyond an arrest record.
Key facts
- A Korean woman surnamed Kim was detained on the 11th in Hall County, Georgia, on suspicion of drunk driving and other traffic violations. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 ]
- She faces four charges: drunk driving, speeding, driving with an expired registration plate and breaching turn-signal requirements. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 ]
- The Georgia Gazette, a site that publishes arrest records, released her mugshot and record on the 15th (local time). [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 ]
- Unlike typical mugshots, the photo shows her looking straight at the camera and smiling. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- Social media users wrote that they could pay her bail, asked whether three people could split it, or offered to act as bail bondsman. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 ]
- A Facebook post of the mugshot was shared more than 140 times and drew dozens of reactions, according to CBS NoCut News. [ 5 ]
- Under Georgia law, a first drunk-driving conviction can bring a fine of 300 to 1,000 dollars and 10 days to 12 months in custody. [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Kim was detained on the 11th in Hall County, Georgia, on four charges including drunk driving. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 ]
- The Georgia Gazette published her mugshot and arrest record on the 15th (local time). [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 ]
- Online commenters offered to pay her bail after the smiling mugshot was shared. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- The published record is an arrest record and does not establish guilt. [ 3 , 6 ]
- Georgia law allows a fine of 300 to 1,000 dollars and 10 days to 12 months in custody for a first drunk-driving conviction, with at least 24 hours served if blood alcohol is 0.08% or higher. [ 2 , 5 , 6 ]
Still unclear
- Her blood alcohol level and the circumstances of the arrest. Seoul Economic Daily said the exact level and how the arrest came about have not been made public.
- Whether she was released on bail or whether anyone paid bail. Seoul Economic Daily said release on bail is not disclosed and payment of bail as suggested in the comments is unconfirmed.
- Her full name. Only Newsis, citing a JTBC broadcast, gives her as Esther Kim; the other outlets give only the surname Kim.
- That the Georgia Gazette re-shared the mugshot post and said the case was drawing much attention. Only CBS NoCut News reports this.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Seoul Shinmun reports on the 20th that the mugshot of a Korean woman arrested in Georgia has drawn online attention. [ 1 ]
- Asia Economy reports on the 21st that the arrest record was published on the 15th and that bail offers followed. [ 2 ]
- Newsis reports on the 21st on the JTBC segment aired on the 20th. [ 4 ]
- Seoul Economic Daily reports on the 22nd that many details of the arrest remain unknown. [ 6 ]