"Sultagi" After Drunk Driving... Anti-Corruption Commission: "Driver's License Revoked Without Exception"

An administrative appeal has concluded that the cancellation of a driver's license is justified when a driver engages in "Sultagi"-the act of consuming additional alcohol after drunk driving in order to interfere with a breathalyzer test.

So Young Cho, Chairperson of the Central Administrative Appeals Commission of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, is speaking at the Government Sejong Complex. Photo by Yonhap News

On December 17, the Central Administrative Appeals Commission of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission announced that it had rejected the administrative appeal filed by Mr. A, whose driver's license was revoked for obstructing a breathalyzer test.

Mr. A's Class 1 ordinary driver's license was canceled due to the Sultagi method. After receiving a report that "Mr. A appears to be driving under the influence," the police arrived at the scene, and Mr. A consumed more alcohol at a nearby bar.

The Road Traffic Act, amended on June 4, prohibits acts that interfere with breathalyzer tests, such as consuming additional alcohol or using medication that could affect blood alcohol concentration, with the intent to make breathalyzer testing difficult for drunk drivers.

Mr. A argued that revoking his license for interfering with a breathalyzer test would cause him excessive disadvantage compared to the public interest. However, the Central Administrative Appeals Commission did not accept his claim, stating that the Road Traffic Act requires the cancellation of a driver's license for such interference.

So Young Cho, Chairperson of the Central Administrative Appeals Commission, stated, "As the regulation prohibiting interference with breathalyzer tests was introduced this year, all drivers must faithfully comply with police officers' requests for breathalyzer tests."

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