Korean actor Kim Joo Hyuk dies in tragic car accident

The car Kim was driving got overturned in an accident and caught on fire.

Kim Joo Hyuk
Kim Joo Hyuk Twitter

Popular Korean actor Kim Joo Hyuk has passed away on Monday, October 30, after being involved in a car accident. The fatal incident occurred around 4.30 pm KST, in Seoul's Samseong neighbourhood.

The car Kim was travelling in got overturned and caught on fire. The actor was taken to a hospital but did not survive.

Kim's agency, Namoo Actors, have not confirmed the death yet, stating, "We are looking into the reports and will confirm the news when we know more."

However, the police and staff of the hospital Kim was taken to after the accident, have confirmed that the actor is indeed no more.

According to the police statement, Kim was driving home on Monday afternoon when his Mercedes-Benz SUV read-ended a Hyundai Grandeur in Gangnam District, in front of I-PARK. Following the collision, the Mercedes hit an apartment wall. The driver, Kim, was rescued from the crushed car and taken to Konkuk University Hospital in an unconscious state.

Firefighters were immediately dispatched to the accident scene to bring the situation under control. The victim was given first stage CPR during his way to the hospital but he could not make it and was declared dead on arrival, according to website Soompi.

The actor is known chiefly for his work in Confidential Assignment, Reply 1988, and 2 Days 1 Night. He was in a happy relationship with young actress Lee Yoo Young since December 2016. He had also stated earlier that he was considering marriage by the end of 2017.

The news of his death comes as a shock to his fans and friends from the industry. An official investigation is going on into the exact cause of the accident.