Seoul Taxis, Less Than 1% Disciplinary Rate Despite Complaints... Hong Gi-won Urges "Black Box Administrative Measures"

On the first day of mandatory mask-wearing on public transportation, the 26th, citizens wearing masks are taking taxis in front of Seoul Station. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] It has been revealed that the complaint disposition rate for rude behavior by Seoul taxi drivers is less than 1%.

According to data submitted by Seoul City to Hong Gi-won, a member of the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, the number of complaints about rude behavior by Seoul taxi drivers last year was 6,810, while the number of dispositions was 60.

For other years, the number of complaints was 8,638 in 2015, 8,364 in 2016, 7,567 in 2017, and 7,308 in 2018, whereas the number of dispositions was only 0 in 2015, 46 in 2016, 51 in 2017, and 62 in 2018.

The top complaint cases were: 1st place verbal abuse, informal speech, and profanity with 9,620 cases; 2nd place showing displeasure with 8,866 cases; 3rd place refusal of passenger route selection requests with 2,601 cases; 4th place reckless driving with 1,610 cases; and 5th place gender discrimination and sexual harassment remarks with 274 cases.

The number of complaints about gender discrimination and sexual harassment remarks increased more than twofold from 33 cases in 2015 to 78 cases last year.

Assemblyman Hong said, “Seoul City receives complaints about sexual harassment and verbal abuse by taxi drivers to prevent such behavior, but the low number of dispositions is due to insufficient evidence.” He added, “Seoul City should take necessary administrative measures, such as reviewing black box footage afterward, to protect passengers.”

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