Kim Ju-Hyeok 김주혁

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October 31, 2017

 

Friends, colleagues grief-stricken over actor Kim Joo-hyuk's sudden death

SEOUL, Oct. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's entertainment industry has plunged into deep sorrow and shock over the sudden death of actor Kim Joo-hyuk.

 

The veteran actor, 45, died in a car accident in Samsung-dong, southern Seoul, on Monday when his car rear-ended a sedan twice and suddenly charged forward into an apartment wall before crashing down 2-meter-high stairs.

 

He was seen by the sedan driver grabbing his chest before his Mercedes raced toward the wall, raising the possibility by medical experts that he might have suffered a heart attack.

 

Police said Tuesday his body will be sent to the National Forensic Service to determine the exact cause of the car accident.

 

His management agency Namoo Actors, to which many established actors belong, including Ji Sung, Lee Joon-gi, Yoo Ji-tae, Jeon Hye-bin and Moon Geun-young, says it is in deep sorrow. Last night, an official from the company made a brief statement at Konkuk Hospital that an autopsy will be conducted on his body.

 

The file photo is of late actor Kim Joo-hyuk. (Yonhap)

 

Kim is a longtime friend of Kim Jong-do, the talent agency's CEO, and has been with the company since it was founded in 2004. The company's website has crashed since last night as the site has been hit by so much traffic from his fans.

 

"We have nothing to say. What can we possibly say in this situation? Everyone is just so heartbroken," an official from the company said.

 

The production and crew members of the popular variety show "2 Days & 1 Night" issued a statement Monday night to lament over the loss. The late actor was the show's cast member from December 2013 to the end of 2015.

 

"We are so saddened by the sudden death of our eternal member Kim Joo-hyuk. We express our deepest condolences," read the statement.

 

The team of "Argon," an eight-episode drama that became Kim's last TV series, also was heartbroken and devastated.

 

"I can't understand the accident. How could this happen? I can't believe it, "one staff member told Yonhap News Agency.

 

Late actor Kim Joo-hyuk poses for a photo during a publicity event in Seoul on Aug. 30, 2017, for tvN's new TV series "Argon." (Yonhap)

 

jaeyeon.woo@yna.co.kr

[rubie]

October 30, 2017

 

Kim Joo-Hyuk passes away due to a car accident

 

Source: Nate via HanCinema.net

 

 

Actor Kim Joo-hyuk was in a car accident around 4:30 PM KST in Seoul. He was transported to Konkuk University Medical Center where he passed away at about 6:30 PM KST.

 

The actor hit a car while driving his Mercedes-Benz SUV along Yeongdong Daero and fell down the staircase of an apartment building. His company, Namoo Actors, is still gathering the details of the fatal crash.

 

Over the past twenty years, Kim Joo-hyuk has given a lot to film and television. Born in 1972 to the late Kim Moo-saeng, he eventually graduated from the department of theater and film at Dongguk University and made his debut in 1998. He carved his own path in the entertainment industry separate from that of his well-known father and appeared in films such as "Singles" (2003), "When Romance Meets Destiny" (2005), "Blue Swallow" (2005), "Love Me Not" (2006), "My Wife Got Married" (2010), and "The Truth Beneath" (2016). Earlier this year, Kim Joo-hyuk was a villain in "Confidential Assignment" and "The Tooth and the Nail".

 

Not just to be found on the silver screen, Kim Joo-hyuk made his mark on television as well. He was part of projects like 2005's "Lovers in Prague" and 2012's "God of War". Recently, he was anchorman Kim Baek-jin in "Argon" for which he won much acclaim.

 

Variety and entertainment programs such as "1 Night, 2 Days" and "SNL" welcomed him into their cast. He was an actor who enjoyed his craft.

 

Late 2016, he revealed his relationship with actress Lee Yoo-young.

 

HanCinema sends our deepest condolences to Kim Joo-hyuk's family and loved ones.

 

Kim Joo-hyuk, funeral to be held back until cause of death comes out

 

Source: Sports Donga via HanCinema.net

 

 

Namoo Actors made a statement about Kim Joo-hyuk's funeral.

 

Kim Joo-hyuk drove his car down a flight of stairs into the wall of an apartment building on the 30th of October. The actor received CPR on one account and was taken to the Gunguk Hospital but passed away in the hospital.

 

Kim Seok-joon from Namoo Actors held a short briefing at the Gunguk Funeral Home on the 31st.

 

He said, "An autopsy will be done and the funeral will only begin when we determine the cause of death. Please refrain from any speculations".

[rubie]

October 31, 2017

 

News: Actor Kim Joo-hyuk Dies in Traffic Accident

By Pierce Conran Modern Korean Cinema

 

It's with a heavy heart that we share the news of the untimely passing of actor Kim Joo-hyuk, who in a rich 20-year career appeared in works such as Singles, My Wife Got Married, The Truth Beneath and Yourself and Yours. He was just 45 years old.

 

While driving his Mercedes-Benz SUV along a Gangnam neighborhood road around 4:30pm on Monday, October 30th, the actor is believed to have suffered from cardiac arrest, which caused him to hit another car on the road and then drive into the wall of an apartment complex before careening down a staircase and overturning. Firefighters retrieved the unconscious Kim shortly thereafter but he was pronounced dead at 6:30pm at the Konkuk University Medical Center.

 

Kim's career began on TV in the late 1990s and film roles followed in 2001, first with a supporting part in the horror-thriller Say Yes. He appeared alongside Song Kang-ho in YMCA Baseball Team the following year and then became known for several romantic roles, such as in the ensemble drama Singles, the romantic thriller Love Me Not and the romcom My Wife Got Married.

 

Following his well-regarded turn in 2010's period drama The Servant, Kim began to change as an actor, taking on more challenging roles. In recent years he was considered to have hit his peak as a performer, impressing viewers and the industry for his intense and commanding presence in films such as The Truth Beneath, Yourself and Yours and Confidential Assignment, for which he earned the Best Supporting Actor award at the inaugural Seoul Awards just three days prior to his accident. 

 

During what had been one of the most active years in his career, in addition to Confidential Assignment he appeared in the period noir The Tooth and the Nail this spring and was the lead of the TV mini-series Argon which screened in September. That same month he wrapped filming the period drama Heungbu and had recently completed his scenes for the still-shooting Korean Drug War remake. He was scheduled to play a small part in the upcoming period zombie action film Rampant, but had yet to film his scenes.

 

Kim was extremely well-regarded by his peers in the industry, known for his professionalism on set and his respect for his fellow performers. The film community mourns this shocking loss of a bright light of Korean cinema who was only growing stronger with each passing year. A wonderful actor cut down his prime, we will dearly miss Kim Joo-hyuk.

[rubie]

October 30, 2017

 

Police Release Autopsy Results And Agency Shares Funeral Details For Kim Joo Hyuk

 

Source: Soompi by J. Lim

 

The police have released the results of Kim Joo Hyuk’s autopsy, which was conducted by the National Forensic Service.

 

An autopsy was conducted on October 31 and revealed that the cause of death was a severe head injury. The report also showed no signs of the actor suffering a heart attack, which was speculated following initial eyewitness reports. The police noted that a detailed report on specifics, such as whether there were any traces of alcohol or medication in Kim Joo Hyuk’s system, will take approximately a week to be finalized.

 

Namoo Actors has released a statement regarding the wake and funeral for the late actor and said, “The wake will be held from 3 p.m. KST on October 31 at the Hyundai Asan Hospital in Seoul. The funeral will be held on the morning of November 2. Kim Joo Hyuk will be laid to rest in his family burial grounds.”

 

They concluded their statement with, “We will forever remember the warm and upright character and passion of the late Kim Joo Hyuk. We ask for your compassion and condolences for his grieving family, and we hope his beautiful time on this earth will be remembered.”

 

Kim Joo Hyuk passed away on October 30 following a car accident near an apartment complex in the Gangnam District in Seoul. Though firefighters were able to rescue the actor from his car, the actor passed away after being taken to Konkuk Hospital to be treated for his injuries.

 

We send our deepest condolences to the family of Kim Joo Hyuk.

 

Source (1) (2)

[Demen]

So sad for the news

RIP, Kim Joo Hyuk - one of my K-actor.

[rubie]

October 31, 2017

 

Autopsy finds fatal head injury caused Kim Joo-hyuk’s death

 

(Yonhap)

 

An autopsy on actor Kim Joo-hyuk who passed away after a car crash Monday in Seoul, revealed that the actor died from a fatal head injury. 

 

Police and the National Forensic Service said Tuesday that the immediate cause of Kim‘s death was a head injury, serious enough to have instantly killed the actor. They added that there was no evidence of myocardial infarction, which was previously reported as a possible cause that led to the car accident. A more detailed autopsy result will become available after about a week, police said. 

 

On Tuesday morning, Gangnam Police station said that it had asked the NFS to conduct an autopsy on Kim in order to verify the exact cause of his death. Kim‘s body was sent to NFS Tuesday morning at around 9 a.m.

 

Kim, 45, was driving a Mercedes-Benz SUV down Yeongdong Daero when it crashed into Hyundai Grandeur near an I-Park apartment complex in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul, on Monday at around 4:30 p.m. Kim’s car then crashed into the wall of an apartment block and flipped down the stairs. Firefighters extricated Kim from the vehicle at around 5:07 p.m. and took him to Konkuk University Medical Center. Kim died at the hospital at around 6:30 p.m. It has been reported that officials from the hospital named myocardial infarction as a major cause of the accident. 

 

Spoiler

(Yonhap)

 

While the police still haven’t found electronic recording devices from either Kim’s car or the Grandeur, it said Tuesday that there have been a number of misunderstandings concerning the accident. 

 

Previously, the driver of the Grandeur had told police that Kim seemed to be in pain, clutching his chest, after the SUV crashed into his car from the rear, adding that the car then swerved into the apartment wall. But after analyzing a footage of the accident recorded by a vehicle behind Kim’s car, secured by police Monday, police said that Kim’s car didn’t ram from the rear but crashed to the right side of the car. The Grandeur driver later admitted the error of his earlier statement saying that he was confused at the time of the accident. 

 

The Grandeur driver also corrected his statement about Kim clutching his chest in pain, saying that Kim was actually grabbing the steering wheel with his two hands while leaning his chest on it with a pain-stricken face. 

 

Kim’s agency Namoo Actors said Tuesday that Kim’s wake will be held at Asan Medical Center in Songpa-gu, Seoul, from 3 p.m. Tuesday while the funeral will take place on Thursday. Kim will be buried at a family vault in Seosan city in South Chungcheong Province. 

 

Spoiler

(Yonhap)

 

Kim straddled both the small and big screens as an actor, becoming best known for leading roles in the TV series “Lovers in Prague” (2005) and in films such as “My Wife Got Married” (2008) and “Yourself and Yours” (2016). The actor was at the height of his career, having won his first film award last Friday for his portrayal of a ruthless North Korean mobster in Kim Sung-hoon’s “Confidential Assignment” (2017).

 

He had three upcoming movies slated for release next year. Kim had finished shooting his part for the film “Dok-jeon,” Lee Hae-young’s crime action drama that is still in production, reports say. Kim played a China-based drug lord in the film. 

 

Kim also starred in Cho Geun-hyun’s “Heung-bu,” which wrapped up shooting on Aug. 18. 

 

Kim had also agreed to star alongside Hyun Bin once more in Kim Sung-hoon’s period-slash-zombie flick “Rampant (Chang-gweol).” Kim had finished one out of his four shoots for the film. Kim had also been in talks to star in Yoo Jae-wook’s crime thriller “Yeol-dae-ya.”

 

(lotus@heraldcorp.com) 

[ryanallright]

 

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Photo: CINE21

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Published on October 30, 2017 by YTN NEWS

 

Entertainers, Public Mourn Death Of Actor Kim Joo-Hyuk / YTN

 

[Guest]

2 hours ago, ryanallright said:

 

I saw Defconn's face and he seems so sad! 

[rubie]

October 31, 2017

 

Chungmuro mourns the passing of Kim Joo-hyuk

 

Source: Seoul.co.kr via HanCinema.net

 

 

Several events and functions in the film industry were cancelled or put on hold to mourn the death of actor Kim Joo-hyuk who passed away due to a car accident. Kim Hye-soo's "Special Lady" cancelled its premiere event as well as the interviews lined up afterwards. Baek Yoon-sik and Sung Dong-il's "The Chase", Choi Min-sik and Park Shin-hye's "Heart Blackened", Hyun Bin and Yoo Ji-tae's "The Swindlers", and Sung Ji-roo and Jeon Mi-seon's "The Love That's Left" cancelled plans in honor of the late actor.

 

Go Doo-shim who decided to go on with her interview schedule, talked about Kim Joo-hyuk. She said, "We acted in a drama as mother and son and I knew his father Kim Moo-saeng very well. He was really like a son to me. It hurts to think that he had to go so soon".

 

The late actor's funeral has been arranged at the Seoul Asan Hospital and besides visitors, media, fans and others are not allowed. Kim Joo-hyuk's girlfriend, Lee Yoo-young, was seen going in with her head down and face covered with her hands. Choi Min-sil, Ryu Jun-yeol, Yoo Joon-sang, Son Hyun-joo and Def Con from "1 Night 2 Days" also made their way to the funeral.

 

Words of condolences continue to come up on SNS. Musical actor Jeong Seong-hwa recalled the first time he met Kim Joo-hyuk and said, "I loved how humane you were. I will never forget the value of life you showed me and the generosity you showed me. I miss you already". Director Yoo Ho-jin who was in charge of the show "1 Night 2 Days" that gave Kim Joo-hyuk the nickname "dummy brother", posted a picture of Kim Joo-hyuk smilng with his feet in the sea.

 

The coffin leaves the funeral on the 2nd and he will rest in a family grave in Seosan.

[ryanallright]

 

from yesterday

 

 

from today

[rubie]

October 31, 2017

 

South Korean Star Kim Joo-hyuk Dies at 45, Film Premieres Canceled

 

by Lee Hyo-won The Hollywood Reporter

 

 

Fans and industry folks across Asia are mourning his death in a car accident.

 

A string of South Korean film premieres and media events were called off following the sudden death of actor Kim Joo-hyuk in a car crash on Monday.

 

The 45-year-old was driving through the streets of Gangnam, Seoul, when his car swerved and collided with another vehicle before hitting a building. The driver of the other car has survived, according to local authorities.

 

The South Korean public and entertainment industry have expressed shock and disbelief, with high-profile media events being called off in deference to the late actor's death. The Blue Dragon Awards, one of the country’s top awards ceremonies, equivalent to the Oscars, has canceled its annual hand-printing ceremony that had been slated for Wednesday, featuring winners of the previous year’s edition, including The Magnificent Seven star Lee Byung-hun.

 

Red-carpet premieres for upcoming films have also been canceled, including The Swindlers, starring heartthrob Hyun Bin, who co-starred with Kim in Confidential Assignment, one of the year’s biggest box-office draws with $57 million, according to the Korean Film Council’s KOBIS database.

 

Kim enjoyed steady popularity over his 20-year career, first appearing in romantic TV roles, such as in Lovers in Prague (2005) opposite Cannes-winning actress Jeon Do-yeon. He went on to more diverse roles in historical dramas and crime actioners and won critical acclaim for his portrayal of villains, such as a North Korean gang boss (Confidential Assignment) and a callous murder suspect (The Tooth and the Nail).

 

Moreover, Kim had been praised for his awareness of gender equality issues in the local entertainment industry, often choosing to play roles in films that put the spotlight on a female lead. 

 

In recent years, his fan base grew as he revealed his quirky guy-next-door side through reality shows.

 

“We are deeply shocked and would like to pay our condolences to Kim Joo-hyuk, who will forever remain part of our team,” said a public statement from the popular show 2 Days & 1 Night.

 

The actor left behind two works, Heungboo: The Revolutionist and Dokjeon (working title), which are expected to be released posthumously next year.

[rubie]

November 2, 2017

 

Stars come out to honor actor Kim Joo-hyuk
 

Source: Inside Korea JoongAng Daily

 

 

Celebrities continue to pay condolences after the sudden death of actor Kim Joo-hyuk, who died in a car crash on Oct. 30. 

 

As soon as the late actor’s funeral ceremony opened its doors at the Asan Medical Center in Songpa district, southern Seoul, many of his colleagues including veteran actors like Choi Min-sik, Song Kang-ho as well as those who appeared in movies with Kim such as Hyun Bin and Im Yoon-ah, were spotted. 

 

Kim’s close friend, actor Cha Tae-hyun, who appeared on the reality program “2 Days & 1 Night” with Kim, is said to have stayed at the funeral home to greet visitors right after attending Song Hye-kyo and Song Jung-ki’s wedding ceremony on Tuesday. The funeral was also open to the public starting Wednesday. 

 

Meanwhile, a number of movie promotional events, such as the press preview for “A Special Lady” and a showcase for “The Swindlers,” scheduled to take place Wednesday, were cancelled so that Kim’s colleagues could have time to mourn their friend. 

 

At many public events, many actors expressed sympathy in their own way. 

 

During the annual SACF Artist of the Year Awards, which took place Tuesday evening, actors Yoo Hae-jin and Cha In-pyo expressed sympathies while receiving their awards. 

 

At the movie preview event for “Heart Blackened,” also held on Tuesday evening, actors Park Shin-hye and Lee Honey wore black dresses and skipped the red-carpet photo shoot. 

 

His coffin will be borne out today and Kim will be buried at his family cemetery in Seosan, South Chungcheong. 

 

By Hong You-kyoung

 

 

 

[rubie]

November 2, 2017

 

Korean Film Community Mourns the Death of KIM Joo-hyuk
Traffic Accident Claims Life of Beloved Actor

 

by Pierce Conran / KoBiz

 

 

On the afternoon of Monday, October 30th at around 4:30pm, Korean actor KIM Joo-hyuk was involved in a fatal car crash when his Mercedes-Benz SUV overturned after colliding with the wall of an apartment complex. The star of My Wife Got Married (2008), Yourself and Yours (2016) and Confidential Assignment (2017) was 45 years old.

 

Media reports suggest that the actor may have experienced cardiac arrest while driving down a road in the Gangnam neighborhood. Losing control of his vehicle, KIM swerved into a car in another lane before driving into an apartment complex. His vehicle then overturned as it fell over a staircase. Rescue personnel retrieved KIM from his car just after 5pm and brought him to the Konkuk University Medical Center but were unable to revive him. The actor was pronounced dead at 6:30pm.

 

After getting his start on television in the late 1990s, KIM debuted on the silver screen alongside PARK Joong-hoon in 2001’s Say Yes following which he featured with SONG Kang-ho in YMCA Baseball Team (2002). KIM became known as a romantic lead in films such as When Romance Meets Destiny (2005) and My Wife Got Married (2008). 

 

His repertoire began to expand after the period drama The Servant (2010) and he received very strong notices for roles alongside SON Ye-jin in The Truth Beneath and in HONG Sangsoo’s Yourself and Yours last year. Three days prior to his passing, KIM received the Best Supporting Actor prize from the 1st Seoul Awards for his part in Confidential Assignment.

 

Prior to his death, the actor completed filming for the period drama Heungbu and the Korean Drug War remake, both of which will be released next year.

[rubie]

November 2, 2017

 

Funeral held for late actor Kim Joo-hyuk

 

SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Yonhap) -- The funeral for the late Kim Joo-hyuk, a veteran South Korean actor who died in a car accident this week, was held Thursday, attended by his family, close friends and celebrities.

 

Kim died in a car accident in Samsung-dong, southern Seoul, on Monday when his car rear-ended a sedan twice and suddenly charged forward into an apartment wall before crashing down a nearby 2-meter-high flight of stairs. He was 45.

 

A private funeral service was held for Kim at Asan Medical Center in eastern Seoul, attended by his family, staff from management agency Namoo Actors and close celebrity friends, including actors Jung Jin-young and Hwang Jung-min.

 

He was later moved and laid to rest in a family grave in Seosan, South Chungcheong Province. Some 200 fans gathered around the hospital to say good-bye to the actor.

 

Members of a funeral procession for late actor Kim Joo-hyuk carry his portrait and coffin from Asan Medical Center in Seoul on Nov. 2, 2017. Kim died in a car crash on Oct. 30 at the age of 45. (Yonhap)

 

South Korea's entertainment industry has plunged into deep sorrow and shock over the sudden death of Kim.

 

Initial reports suggested that he might have suffered a cardiac arrest as he was reportedly seen by the sedan driver grabbing his chest before his Mercedes raced toward the wall.

 

But police ruled it out, saying that a severe head injury, not a heart attack, was the direct cause of his death, citing the initial result from the autopsy by the National Forensic Service. A more complete biopsy result is expected to come out in the coming days.

 

To pay respect to the deceased actor, a slew of movie publicity and screening events have been postponed. The upcoming film "A Special Lady," featuring Kim Hye-soo, canceled a press conference and interviews, while "Heart Blackened," starring Choi Min-sik and Park Shin-hye, canceled the VIP screening and red carpet event in Yongsan, Seoul, this week.

 

odissy@yna.co.kr

 

Sad farewell by family, friends and fans 

 

 

[rubie]

November 3, 2017

 

Late actor Kim Joo-hyuk's recent photo unveiled posthumously

SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- An unpublished photo of actor Kim Joo-hyuk, who died in a car accident this week, was unveiled posthumously by his company Friday.

 

Kim Dong-sik, CEO of the late actor's agency Namoo Actors, posted a photo of the late star dressed in a tuxedo at The Seoul Awards held last Friday at Seoul's Kyunghee University on his Instagram account. Kim won best male supporting actor for his role in "Confidential Assignment" (2017).

 

Next to the late actor in the photo, taken just three days before his death, were CEO Kim, Namoo Actors President Kim Jong-do and Doosan Group CSO Park Seo-won.

 

"That joyful moment taken last Friday is the final photo to remember. I will cherish the happy friendship I have gathered over 19 years since first meeting Joo-hyuk and over 16 years of working together," the executive said

 

Kim died in a car accident in Samsung-dong, southern Seoul, on Monday when his car rear-ended a sedan twice and suddenly charged forward into an apartment wall before crashing down a nearby 2-meter-high flight of stairs. He was 45.

 

This image captured from Namoo Actor CEO Kim Dong-sik's Instagram account shows late actor Kim Joo-hyuk (2nd from R) at The Seoul Awards held on Oct. 27, 2017, at Kyunghee University in Seoul, three days before the star died in a car accident. (Yonhap)

 

odissy@yna.co.kr

[rubie]

Photo: Magazine M @magazine_m_2017

Actor Kim Joo Hyuk suddenly left us yesterday. In remembrance of him, Magazine M remembers his life. 

 

[rubie]

November 14, 2017

 

Police Recover Kim Joo Hyuk’s Black Box And Give Autopsy Results

 

Source: Soompi by D. Kim

 

 

On November 14, the Gangnam Police Station released autopsy results for actor Kim Joo Hyuk, who recently passed away in a car accident.

 

The police announced that the black box inside Kim Joo Hyuk’s car was finally recovered. “On November 2, the National Forensic Service carried out a thorough search of the vehicle and found the black box lying beneath the passenger seat. We checked the video and couldn’t hear any audio, so the National Forensic Service is currently checking whether any audio was recorded in the first place,” they explained.

 

“As of now, it seems like nothing got recorded because the audio recording function was turned off to begin with. The National Forensic Service is checking the black box to see if it contains any saved files,” they added.

 

The National Forensic Service further stated that the final cause of death was cranial fracture. They clarified, “We didn’t find any signs of myocardial infarction (heart attack), and our toxicology test only showed a small amount of antihistamine. No traces of alcohol or toxins were detected, and our heart examinations didn’t show any signs of coronary artery damage, abnormal blood vessels, or inflammation.”

 

The Gangnam Police Station commented, “No further medical examinations will be conducted in the remaining investigation process. Unless we discover any additional evidence or defects in the vehicle, it’s possible that we’ll have to rule the cause of accident as unknown.”

 

The results of the ongoing investigation of Kim Joo Hyuk’s vehicle will be released later this month.

 

Source (1) (2)

[rubie]

November 14, 2017

 

Police say no alcohol or drugs found in late actor's body
 

SEOUL, Nov. 14 (Yonhap) -- Police said Tuesday they have found no traces of alcohol or drugs in late actor Kim Joo-hyuk's body, reaffirming the preliminary conclusion that he died of a severe head injury inflicted in the tragic car accident late last month.

 

Police released the autopsy and biopsy results on the veteran actor's system conducted by the National Forensic Service, which indicated he was neither under the influence of alcohol nor drugs at the time of the crash.

 

The state crime lab also said it found nothing other than a small amount of antihistamine in the toxicology test.

 

Kim died on Oct. 30 when his Mercedes SUV rear-ended a vehicle in front of it before smashing into a wall at an apartment complex and rolling down some stairs. He was 45.

His sudden death sent shockwaves through the public, with some raising suspicions about the cause of the accident on the Internet and other online communication channels.

 

Police said the possibility is low that he suffered a cardiac arrest while driving since the autopsy found no signs suggesting that or any problems in his nervous system. But it did not rule out that something in his heart or brain might have happened prior to the accident, given the witness account that Kim had leaned his head low against the steering wheel before he hit the car.

 

Police said they secured and retrieved the dashboard camera from his car, but it has helped them little with the investigation as it had only recorded images and no sound.

 

They said they hope to find a more concrete answer from the analysis result of his Mercedes, which will take at least another month. Police plan to carry out an on-site reconstruction of the accident on Wednesday, while working to further analyze the video camera for any fresh evidence, they added.

 

elly@yna.co.kr