Average of 107,000 Cases of Fare Evasion... "It Takes a Long Time to Receive Compensation"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Saeyan] Kang Ki-yoon, a member of the People Power Party, revealed that the number of dine-and-dash reports has averaged more than 107,000 cases per year over the past five years.

According to the National Police Agency, the number of dine-and-dash reports over the past five years was 104,854 cases in 2016, 102,845 cases in 2017, 108,537 cases in 2018, 116,496 cases in 2019, and 105,546 cases in 2020.

Specifically, as of last year, the numbers increased to 8,423 cases in Incheon, 5,724 cases in Daegu, 1,748 cases in Gwangju, 3,018 cases in Daejeon, 3,091 cases in Ulsan, 307 cases in Sejong, 3,164 cases in Gangwon-do, 2,813 cases in Chungbuk, 3,653 cases in Chungnam, 2,391 cases in Jeonbuk, 2,403 cases in Jeonnam, 3,370 cases in Gyeongbuk, 6,825 cases in Gyeongnam, and 3,769 cases in Jeju.

The remaining areas?Seoul with 210,295 cases, Gyeonggi with 250,315 cases, and Busan with 8,237 cases?showed a slight decrease.

Dine-and-dash refers to the act of not paying the rightful fare for taxi rides, alcohol, or food without justifiable reason, which can be punished with a fine of up to 100,000 won under the Minor Offenses Act.

Representative Kang Ki-yoon stated, "Even when victims suffer from dine-and-dash, it usually takes a long time to receive compensation, leading most to give up halfway."

He added, "In an economic situation already worsened by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), dine-and-dash makes life even harder for self-employed business owners and taxi drivers. The National Police Agency should promote awareness of dine-and-dash crimes and investigate whether there are any affected business owners."

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