50s Given Probation for Assaulting Bus Driver Who Angrily Told Passenger to Sit Due to Danger

Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] A man in his 50s who became enraged at a bus driver's demand to sit down on the bus and committed verbal abuse and assault was sentenced to probation.

The Daejeon District Court's 12th Criminal Division (Presiding Judge Lee Chang-kyung) announced on the 24th that Mr. A, who was indicted on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (assault on a driver, etc.), was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison with 2 years of probation.

The court stated, "The defendant assaulted the bus driver who was operating the bus late at night, causing injury," and added, "This is a reckless crime that could have led to a major accident, causing harm to an unspecified number of people and property, so the culpability is not light."

It further explained the sentencing reasoning, saying, "Although the defendant has a history of being punished three times for violent crimes, he acknowledges his wrongdoing and is deeply remorseful. Considering that the crime appears to have been committed impulsively after losing rationality momentarily, these factors were taken into account."

Mr. A was brought to trial on charges of verbal abuse and assault after becoming enraged at bus driver Mr. B’s request to sit down for safety on a wide-area bus operating in Sejong City late at night on March 21.

Bus driver Mr. B reportedly sustained injuries requiring about two weeks of treatment due to the assault by Mr. A.

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