Why a Man in His 50s Who Paid Taxi Fare with 4 Cigarettes Was Fined 12 Million Won

Changwon District Court. [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] A man in his 50s who handed over 4 cigarettes as taxi fare was fined 12 million won. What happened?

Last June, Mr. A, who was intoxicated, took a taxi in Changwon, Gyeongnam, and handed over 4 cigarettes instead of paying the taxi fare.

Angered by this, the taxi driver turned the car toward the police precinct. Mr. A said, "Are you trying to go to the precinct over a few thousand won?" and swung his fist.

The court imposed a fine of 12 million won on Mr. A for using violence. He ended up paying a huge fine while trying to save 4,000 won and added another criminal record.

On the 23rd, the Changwon District Court Criminal Division 7 (Judge Kim Cho-ha) announced that it sentenced Mr. A to a fine of 12 million won for assaulting a taxi driver who reacted after Mr. A handed over 4 cigarettes as taxi fare.

The sentence was increased due to the violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, including assaulting a driver.

According to the Changwon District Court, on June 25 at around 2:30 a.m., Mr. A, intoxicated, took a taxi driven by Mr. B (in his 50s) in Seongsan-gu, Changwon, Gyeongnam. After reaching the destination, he handed over 4 cigarettes instead of paying the taxi fare.

When the driver Mr. B, who did not receive the fare, tried to go to the police precinct, Mr. A was charged with cursing and swinging his fist, saying, "Are you going to the police station over 4,000 won?"

The court stated, "Although he reoffended during the recidivism period for similar crimes, considering that he reached a settlement with the victim during the investigation stage, admitted his wrongdoing, and is reflecting on his actions, the sentence was determined comprehensively."

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