Deputy Minister Lee Yong-gu's 'Taxi Driver Assault' Controversy Escalates... Successive Complaints Filed

Controversy Over Vice Minister Assaulting Taxi Driver Spreads
Debate Intensifies Over 'Special Act' Application
Civil Groups File Complaints and Audit Requests
Hanbyun Submits Disciplinary Petition to Bar Association

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] It has recently come to light that the case involving Vice Minister of Justice Lee Yong-gu assaulting a taxi driver before his appointment was closed as a preliminary investigation, sparking controversy. As civic groups continue to file criminal complaints against Vice Minister Lee and the police investigation team involved, this controversy is expected to intensify.

According to the police on the 21st, Vice Minister Lee assaulted a taxi driver by grabbing his collar in front of an apartment in Seocho-gu, Seoul, in early last month while he was still working as a lawyer. At the time, Vice Minister Lee was reportedly intoxicated and had fallen asleep inside the car, and the taxi driver tried to wake him upon arrival at the destination.

The police responded to the taxi driver’s report, confirmed Vice Minister Lee’s identity, and decided to investigate later, initially letting him go. Later, when the taxi driver expressed that he did not want to press charges, the police did not formally book Vice Minister Lee and closed the case as a preliminary investigation. Although the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (Special Act) stipulates harsher penalties for assaulting drivers of vehicles in operation, the police explained that based on existing precedents, this case was judged as simple assault, which is a "non-prosecution offense upon victim’s withdrawal of complaint."

However, as these facts were revealed belatedly, controversy arose over whether the handling at the time was appropriate. The police judged that the taxi was not in operation because it was stationary, but some in the legal community have raised doubts. They argue that if the engine was running, it should be considered as operating, and in such a case, the Special Act could have been applied. There are also concerns that such problems may continue as the police now have the authority to close investigations at the first stage amid the adjustment of investigative powers between prosecutors and police. Article 5-10 of the Special Act (Aggravated Punishment for Assaulting Drivers of Vehicles in Operation) stipulates that anyone who assaults or threatens a driver operating a vehicle used for passenger transportation, including cases where the vehicle is temporarily stopped for passenger boarding or alighting, shall be punished by imprisonment of up to five years or a fine of up to 20 million won.

Civic groups are also filing complaints one after another. The Action Alliance for the Restoration of the Rule of Law filed a criminal complaint against Vice Minister Lee on the 19th with the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office for violating the Special Act, and the day before, requested an investigation into the investigation team members and an unidentified person who ordered the handling for dereliction of duty and abuse of authority. The Association of Judicial Examination Preparers (Sajunmo) also filed a complaint against Vice Minister Lee on the same charges. Sajunmo announced that it submitted a request for audit to the National Police Agency, asking for a review of the preliminary investigation closure of Vice Minister Lee’s assault case. The conservative-leaning lawyers’ group, the Lawyers for Human Rights and Unification of the Korean Peninsula, plans to submit a petition to the Korean Bar Association requesting disciplinary action against Vice Minister Lee.

Meanwhile, Vice Minister Lee has not yet made any official statements regarding the controversy. The police maintain their position that the case was handled according to procedures after considering the scene and various precedents.

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