Singer Jeong Dong-won, 18, will not face trial for his unlicensed driving charge after prosecutors decided on a suspension of indictment.

According to the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office, Jeong was referred on charges of violating the Road Traffic Act for driving without a license but was granted a suspension of indictment on November 6.

Considered circumstances lead to leniency

A suspension of indictment means that while the offense is acknowledged, prosecutors chose not to pursue formal charges in light of the surrounding circumstances, such as the offender's age, intent, and level of harm.

Jeong was found to have driven a car without a license in Hadong, Gyeongsangnam-do, in 2023, when he was 16 years old — below the legal driving age. His agency previously explained that he "practiced driving near his home in Hadong for about 10 minutes on a mountain road."

Blackmail case followed the incident

Following the event, Jeong became the target of blackmail. An acquaintance, identified as A, reportedly demanded 200 million KRW after obtaining video footage of the unlicensed driving. Jeong refused to comply and reported the threat to authorities, leading to A's arrest. The blackmailers are currently on trial in detention.

This is not the first time Jeong has faced such charges. In March 2024, he was also caught riding a motorcycle on an expressway without a license but was given the same suspension of indictment.