What happens if a soldier commits DUI?

Hello. This is a military criminal specialist attorney from Daeryun Law Firm.

When DUI is detected during military service, various disadvantages are imposed.

1. Military DUI is also subject to criminal punishment under the Road Traffic Act.

Even soldiers, when committing DUI during leave or while on outing/overnight pass, receive the same Road Traffic Act punishment as civilians as follows.

For first offense, blood alcohol concentration of 0.2% or higher: imprisonment of 2 to 5 years or fine of 10 to 20 million won

Blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher but less than 0.2%: imprisonment of 1 to 2 years or fine of 5 to 10 million won

Blood alcohol concentration of 0.03% or higher but less than 0.08%: imprisonment of up to 1 year or fine of up to 5 million won

2. Military DUI involves disciplinary actions separately from criminal punishment.

DUI is regarded as an act that damages the dignity of a soldier, so internal military disciplinary procedures are conducted separately.

Types of discipline: salary reduction, confinement, promotion restrictions, etc.

3. For enlisted soldiers, there is no significant impact on discharge, but there is the possibility of exclusion from rewards (commendations, awards) and disadvantages.

Since military DUI involves many disadvantages, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a military criminal specialist attorney to respond to criminal punishment and disciplinary procedures.

Daeryun Law Firm's military criminal specialist attorneys will present the optimal strategy for the client's case based on military DUI case resolution data.

Our firm has branch offices throughout the country including military garrison areas and has established a 365-day, 24-hour emergency response system.