Why Are Kakao Mobility and Starbucks Coffee CEOs Summoned as Witnesses by the Seoul Metropolitan Council?

Seoul Metropolitan Council Transportation Committee Passes '2021 Administrative Audit Witness Summons'... Summons for Kakao Mobility and Tmoney Regarding Destination Display in Platform-Based Taxis, Starbucks Coffee Korea CEO Summoned Over Drive-Thru Store Pedestrian Safety Controversy... Summons for Seoul CNG, Cowon Energy Service, and Samchully CEOs Regarding Operation After Donation Deadline Expiry of CNG Charging Station in Public Garage

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] The Seoul Metropolitan Council's Transportation Committee (Chairman Woo Hyung-chan, photo, Democratic Party, Yangcheon 3) announced that during the 303rd regular session, it has selected representatives from Kakao Mobility, T-money, Starbucks Coffee Korea, Seoul C&G, Cowon Energy Service, and Samchully as witnesses for the administrative audit of the Urban Transportation Office and others.

On the 22nd, the Transportation Committee held a special session during the recess of the 302nd session and passed the "2021 Administrative Audit Witness Attendance Request" to summon the relevant witnesses.

The Transportation Committee members stated, “Despite requesting witness attendance and pointing out issues during the 2018 Transportation Committee administrative audit, controversies continue in the operation process, such as call refusals based on destination display in platform-based taxis. Additionally, the risk of accidents at drive-thru stores and the inconvenience caused by surrounding traffic congestion remain,” and criticized, “It is regrettable that large corporations seem to focus solely on profits and show no interest in social responsibility and roles.”

They also pointed out, “As the donation and return deadline for some CNG charging stations within public garages expires this December, ongoing disputes between the Seoul Metropolitan Government and charging companies regarding future operation plans continue, raising concerns that the resulting damage could potentially expand to citizens using buses.”

Chairman Woo Hyung-chan of the Transportation Committee stated, “Through this administrative audit, the Transportation Committee will strongly urge the resolution of citizens’ demands regarding call refusals based on destination display in platform-based taxis, which have caused inconvenience and danger to citizens, as well as pedestrian safety around drive-thru stores. We will do our best to ensure that better improvement measures for the operation of CNG charging stations within public garages are promptly prepared.”

If a witness who receives a summons for the administrative audit fails to attend without justifiable reason or refuses to testify, a fine of up to 5 million KRW may be imposed. (Article 41, Paragraph 5 of the Local Autonomy Act)

◇ Witnesses

Related to platform-based taxi operations and taxi policy issues

- Kakao Mobility

- T-money Co., Ltd.

Related to pedestrian safety at DRIVE THRU stores

- Starbucks Coffee Korea Co., Ltd.

Expiration of donation and return deadline for CNG charging stations within public garages

- Seoul C&G Co., Ltd.

- Cowon Energy Service Co., Ltd.

- Samchully Co., Ltd.

Related to bus and taxi issues

- Seoul Private Taxi Transport Business Association

- Seoul Metropolitan Taxi Transport Business Association

- Seoul Metropolitan Bus Transport Business Association

- Seoul Metropolitan Village Bus Transport Business Association

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