The dying of a Japanese vacationer who was struck by a drunk driver in Seoul has sparked criticism in Japan over what many see as Korea’s lenient punishment for such offenses.
A submit believed to have been written by a member of the sufferer’s household has drawn widespread consideration on-line, questioning whether or not robust penalties are attainable below Korean regulation.
A social media consumer with the deal with abcz8756 wrote Tuesday, “In Korea, my mom and sister have been hit by a drunk driver. My mom died, and my sister is in [a] crucial situation.”
The submit added, “I heard that drunk drivers in Korea usually obtain mild punishment and no compensation. Is it actually unimaginable to impose stricter penalties, not like in Japan?”
The web submit garnered over 1.8 million views and 20,000 likes in a single day, with each Japanese and Korean customers providing condolences. Many Korean commenters expressed sympathy, saying additionally they “need harsher punishment for drunk drivers.”
The accident occurred at round 10 p.m. Saturday, when a person in his 30s whose surname is Web optimization drove onto a sidewalk close to Dongdaemun Station in central Seoul, hanging a Japanese mom and daughter who have been visiting town.
The 50-year-old mom died on the scene, whereas her daughter suffered critical accidents. Police stated the driving force’s blood alcohol stage was excessive sufficient for license revocation.
A drunk driver who fatally struck a Japanese mom and injured her daughter in Seoul seems on the Seoul Central District Court docket in Seocho District for a listening to to find out the validity of his arrest warrant, Wednesday. Yonhap
Japanese media retailers, together with TV Asahi, lined the case and examined Korea’s document on drunk driving.
The community famous that Korea experiences over 130,000 driving whereas intoxicated circumstances yearly — six occasions Japan’s determine — regardless of having solely half its inhabitants. TV Asahi additionally cited Seoul residents who stated that “punishments are too mild” and “repeat offenses stay widespread.”
Beneath Japanese regulation, a drunk driver who causes a fatality can withstand 30 years in jail, or extra if a number of expenses apply.
In Korea, the utmost sentence for a drunk-driving crash leading to dying is successfully 12 years, regardless of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Particular Crimes permitting for all times imprisonment or a minimal of three years.
The Supreme Court docket’s sentencing pointers suggest 4 to eight years in typical circumstances, extending to 12 years for repeat or aggravated offenses.
Nevertheless, specialists clarified that claims about victims being unable to obtain compensation are incorrect — monetary restitution is feasible below Korean civil regulation.
Police stated the driving force had consumed about three bottles of soju earlier than driving his automotive for roughly one kilometer. He was taken into custody on the scene with a blood alcohol focus above the authorized restrict for license revocation of 0.08 % and formally arrested on Wednesday.
Web optimization’s aspect has reportedly provided to cowl the sufferer’s funeral and transportation bills.
This text from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Occasions, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Occasions.
