"Why Won't You Charge My E-Cigarette?" Police Officer Assaults Taxi Driver

Assault on Taxi and Bus Drivers During Operation... Subject to Special Act
Admits All Charges in Police Investigation... "Don't Remember but Will Take Responsibility"

The photo is unrelated to the article content. Photo by Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] A current police officer was booked without detention for assaulting a taxi driver while intoxicated and riding in the taxi.

On the 27th, the Yeongdeungpo Police Station in Seoul announced that Sergeant A, affiliated with the Gwanak Police Station, was booked on charges of violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes.

According to the police, Sergeant A is accused of drinking alcohol on the morning of the 25th, taking a taxi near Noryangjin Station, and demanding the driver to charge his electronic cigarette. When the taxi driver refused, he assaulted the driver. Sergeant A, who was sitting in the back seat, reportedly leaned forward to the front seat, shook the driver's shoulder, and grabbed his neck.

Eventually, the taxi driver stopped the vehicle and reported the incident to the police, and Sergeant A was apprehended at the scene. Under current law, assaulting a driver of a moving vehicle such as a taxi or bus is subject to the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, not general criminal law, and can result in imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to 20 million won.

During the police investigation, Sergeant A reportedly said, "I do not remember clearly due to intoxication, but I admit all charges and will take responsibility."

Although the taxi driver who reached a settlement with Sergeant A submitted a letter of no prosecution to the police, assaulting a driver is not a crime subject to conditional prosecution, so criminal proceedings will continue regardless of the settlement.

Meanwhile, the Gwanak Police Station, where Sergeant A works, stated, "The officer was placed on standby immediately after the incident," and added, "The responsible department will conduct a thorough investigation and decide the level of disciplinary action."

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