[Video] 'For Pointing Out No Mask'... Taxi Driver Brutally Assaulted

A man is assaulting a fallen taxi driver. Photo by Online Community

[Asia Economy Reporter Jumi Lee] A video showing a passenger without a mask indiscriminately assaulting a taxi driver who pointed this out has sparked public outrage. On the 30th of last month, an incident occurred at a bus stop in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, where a passenger without a mask was refused boarding by the bus driver and then took a taxi to chase the bus and assault the driver. As incidents of assaulting drivers who request mask-wearing in accordance with quarantine authorities' guidelines on public transportation occur frequently, public opinion is growing for the need for measures to protect drivers.

On the 6th, a video was posted on the online community ‘Bobaedream’ showing a young man punching a middle-aged taxi driver.

The video shows a man hitting the face of a taxi driver who is lying on the road defending himself with his fists. In the roughly 50-second video, the man begins assaulting the taxi driver. Voices of bystanders saying "Stop hitting him" and "Hey!" can also be heard during the assault.

It was investigated that the man assaulted the taxi driver out of anger after being pointed out for not wearing a mask.

The victim taxi driver suffered serious injuries, including broken teeth and a torn back of the head, and is reportedly receiving inpatient treatment at a hospital. The exact details of the incident have not yet been confirmed.

Netizens expressed anger, saying, "Attacking a defenseless adult... really makes me angry," "Please punish him severely," and "It breaks my heart to see a taxi driver who could be a father’s age treated like this."

A petition demanding severe punishment for the perpetrator also appeared on the Blue House’s national petition site. The petitioner said, "The driver pleaded and shouted for him to stop, but he still hit him," and urged, "Please make sure he is punished strictly."

Meanwhile, there are frequent cases where passengers try to use public transportation without masks contrary to quarantine guidelines and respond with violence when drivers or nearby citizens point this out, highlighting the need for countermeasures. The most recent known case is the bus driver assault incident that occurred in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, on the 30th of last month. At that time, the bus driver gestured to Mr. A to wear a mask, but when he refused to put one on, the driver closed the door and departed for the next stop without letting him board. Mr. A then took a taxi, chased the bus for five stops, blocked it, boarded the bus, verbally abused the driver, and reportedly struck the driver’s face.

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