Police: Strict Action Against 'Mask-Noncompliant Passengers' for Assaulting and Threatening Bus Drivers

Refusal to Wear Masks Leads to 840 112 Reports of Assaults and Disputes
43 Cases Booked for Assault and Obstruction of Business
Violent Crimes Unit Conducts Dedicated Investigation, Considering Arrest and Prosecution

On the first day of mandatory mask-wearing on public transportation, April 26, a notice requiring mask-wearing is posted at Seoul Station. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] From now on, the police department's criminal division's violent crime team will take charge of investigating acts of assault or obstruction of duty against public transportation drivers who refuse boarding to passengers not wearing masks. In cases of severe illegal acts, strict judicial measures such as detention and prosecution will be enforced.

The National Police Agency announced on the 22nd, "There have been cases of illegal acts such as some passengers assaulting public transportation drivers who request mask-wearing," and declared a strict response policy.

According to the police, since the mandatory mask-wearing on public transportation began on the 26th of last month, 840 112 emergency calls reporting disputes with bus drivers and others refusing to wear masks have been received, and among them, 43 cases are under investigation. The types of reports were mostly buses with 537 cases, followed by taxis with 176 cases, and subways with 127 cases.

Earlier, on the 20th in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, a man in his 50s who bit the face of a bus driver requesting mask-wearing and assaulted a bystander who tried to intervene was detained. This man is the first person detained in connection with incidents related to the mandatory mask-wearing on public transportation.

Additionally, in Cheongju, Chungbuk, a passenger who was intoxicated and tried to board a bus without wearing a mask was charged with assaulting the driver and obstructing bus operation after hitting the driver's neck when the driver refused boarding. In Busan, a passenger who verbally abused and assaulted a station staff member requesting mask-wearing was arrested on charges of violating the Railway Safety Act.

On the 26th, when the government implemented measures restricting citizens who do not wear masks from using public transportation, people at Sadang Station bus stop in Seoul were using the bus while wearing masks. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

The police regard acts such as assaulting public transportation drivers who justifiably refuse boarding to passengers not wearing masks as serious crimes that undermine the public's efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and have decided to respond strongly.

First, in cases of assault or threats against drivers, the 'Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes' will be applied, and the violent crime team responsible for investigating major cases will take charge. Even if it does not reach assault or threats, if the operation is disturbed by disorderly conduct, charges such as obstruction of business will be applied. Furthermore, if offenders continue their acts despite police and citizen intervention, they will be arrested in flagrante delicto, and serious cases will be strictly handled with detention and prosecution.

Moreover, the police will establish a hotline with transportation companies and related organizations, and conduct education and publicity on reporting procedures through meetings with related groups. Even when reports are received after the fact, illegal acts will be verified and judicial processing will be strengthened through cooperative systems.

A police official said, "Voluntary cooperation of the public is most important to overcome COVID-19," and added, "We hope that mature civic consciousness will be demonstrated and that daily quarantine rules such as wearing masks on public transportation will be thoroughly observed."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.