Taxi Driver Who Blocked Ambulance After Minor Collision Arrested: "Significant Need for Detention"

Court: "Key charges substantiated, flight risk" detention
Intentional accident suspicion... ongoing investigation into attempted murder

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Taxi driver Choi Mo (31), who was criticized for blocking an ambulance and causing the death of an emergency patient by demanding to handle a minor collision first, has been arrested.

On the 24th, Kwon Deok-jin, the judge in charge of warrants at the Seoul Eastern District Court, issued an arrest warrant for Choi, who is suspected of special assault (intentional accident) and obstruction of business.

Judge Kwon explained the reason for issuing the arrest warrant, stating, "There is sufficient evidence for the main criminal charges, and there is a risk of evidence destruction or flight. The necessity and appropriateness of detention are also recognized."

Arriving at the Seoul Eastern District Court at around 10:25 a.m. that day, Choi responded to reporters' questions, "You said you would take responsibility if the patient died, how will you take responsibility?" by saying, "I don't understand what you are saying," and headed to the courtroom.

When asked, "Do you have anything to say to the bereaved family?" he consistently remained silent, waving his hand dismissively and replying, "Nothing."

About an hour and a half later, around 12 p.m., after the hearing, Choi came out of the courthouse and answered the question, "Did you know the patient was an emergency case?" by saying, "I will sincerely cooperate with the investigation going forward." When asked if he had anything to say to the bereaved family, he said, "I express my regrets."

The Gangdong Police Station in Seoul, which is investigating this case, applied for a pre-arrest warrant for Choi on the 21st, stating, "The matter is serious and there is a risk of flight."

Earlier, on the afternoon of the 8th of last month, Choi is suspected of deliberately causing a minor collision with a private ambulance on a road near Godeok Station on Subway Line 5 in Gangdong-gu and blocking it for about 10 minutes while demanding "Handle the accident first" (special assault and obstruction of business).

The ambulance was transporting a 79-year-old patient with stage 4 lung cancer who was experiencing breathing difficulties to the hospital. The patient was transferred to another 119 ambulance, arrived at the hospital, and received treatment but ultimately passed away around 9 p.m. that day.

This incident became widely known and sparked public outrage after the deceased patient's son posted a petition on the Blue House website demanding punishment for the taxi driver. The petition has received support from approximately 720,000 people to date.

The police have intensified the investigation by adding a violent crimes team from the criminal division of the same Gangdong Police Station to the traffic division already investigating the case. They are also continuing to investigate other charges against Choi, such as negligent homicide, raised in the public petition and other reports.

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