12 Dead or Injured in 'Kkaebi Market Car Crash'... Suspended Prison Sentence for Driver in His 70s

One Dead, Eleven Injured in the Crash
"Settlements Reached with Most Victims"

A man in his 70s who caused 12 casualties in a car-ramming accident at Kkaebi Market in Mokdong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, has been sentenced to a suspended prison term.

On December 31, 2024, around 4:18 p.m., a sedan driven by a man in his 70s rushed through Kkebi Market in Mokdong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, causing multiple injuries. Photo by Yonhap News.

On April 23, Judge Seo Ji-won of the Criminal Division 5 Single Bench at Seoul Southern District Court sentenced Mr. Kim, a man in his 70s who was indicted without detention on charges of causing death and injury under the Special Act on Traffic Accident Handling, to two years in prison, suspended for three years.

Mr. Kim was driving a passenger car in Kkaebi Market, Mokdong, on December 31, 2024, when he accelerated to 76 km/h in order to overtake a bus ahead of him and crashed into a fruit store. He was brought to trial on charges of causing the death of a merchant in her 40s and injuring 11 other people in the accident.

Judge Seo stated, "The defendant caused the accident by entering the market at a speed significantly exceeding the limit in order to overtake a bus," and added, "The consequences are extremely serious, with one person dying and 11 others injured, and the suffering of the deceased victim and their family is beyond measure." However, the judge also explained the sentencing reasons, saying, "The defendant has admitted to the crime and pledged never to drive again. He reached amicable settlements with nine of the victims, and both the bereaved family and these victims do not wish for punishment. The remaining two victims also informed investigators that they do not wish for punishment. The defendant's advanced age and poor health, including dementia, were also taken into account."

Immediately after the accident, Mr. Kim was diagnosed with Alzheimer's-type dementia during a thorough examination. He was subsequently admitted to a nursing facility and has been investigated without detention. During the sentencing hearing, prosecutors had sought a three-year prison term for Mr. Kim.

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