The mugshot of a Korean woman arrested on a drunk-driving charge has drawn attention online in the United States. Her broad smile in the photo prompted a stream of comments offering to post her bail, though driving under the influence is a serious criminal offense in the U.S. as well.
According to records released on the 15th by The Georgia Gazette, an arrest-records website, a woman identified by the surname Kim was booked into the Hall County jail in the state of Georgia on the 11th. She faces four counts: driving under the influence, speeding, driving with an expired license plate, and failure to signal and comply with lane-change rules.
What drew interest was the mugshot, the facial photograph taken immediately after an arrest. Unlike most mugshots, which capture stiff expressions, Kim was looking straight ahead and smiling, her long hair down.
After the photo was shared on local social media accounts, users posted comments admiring her appearance. When one user said they could pay her bail, others responded that they would chip in as well, suggesting three of them split the cost. One user volunteered to act as a bail bondsman. On the 20th, the case was featured on Korean television, where commentators also noted that the U.S. approach to releasing mugshots differs from Korea's.
Much remains unverified. Kim's exact blood alcohol level, the circumstances of the arrest and whether she was released on bail have not been disclosed, and there is no confirmation that any bail was actually paid, as the comments suggested.
Under Georgia law, a first-time drunk-driving offender faces a fine of $300 to $1,000 and a jail term of 10 days to 12 months. A court may suspend the jail sentence, but offenders with a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or higher must serve at least 24 hours.
A conviction also carries at least 40 hours of community service and mandatory completion of an alcohol and drug risk reduction program, followed by about 12 months of probation, minus any time served, and a 12-month license suspension.
The released records reflect only the charges filed at the time of arrest, and Kim has not been convicted.