Passenger who assaulted and molested female taxi driver for saying "Wear a mask"... Cheong national petition emerges

A man in his 50s verbally abused and assaulted a female taxi driver. Photo by Cheongwadae Petition Board attached video capture

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] A man in his 50s who assaulted and sexually harassed a female taxi driver for about 20 minutes while intoxicated was apprehended by the police.

On the Blue House National Petition Board, a petitioner claiming to be the child of the taxi driver posted a petition titled "Protect public transportation drivers" along with a black box video showing the incident.

On the 27th, the Incheon Western Police Station announced that they had booked A (57) on charges of assaulting a driver and sexual harassment under the Act on Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes.

A is accused of assaulting female taxi driver B (59) by hitting her face with his hand and making inappropriate physical contact inside a taxi driving on a road in Cheongna-dong, Seo-gu, Incheon, at around 6:29 p.m. on the 23rd.

It is known that A committed these crimes against B, who was driving, after arguing with her about the route while sitting in the back seat of the taxi.

A reportedly stated that he was intoxicated and does not remember the incident.

A police official said they plan to summon A again for further investigation.

In this regard, a petitioner claiming to be B’s child posted on the Blue House National Petition Board, urging for enhanced safety measures for taxi and other public transportation drivers.

The petitioner said, "My mother has to resume her personal taxi business, but she is having a very hard time right now," adding, "The video does not capture everything, but the sexual harassment is extremely distressing."

They emphasized, "Please help strengthen laws in the transportation industry so that safety can be ensured, and provide measures or improvements to protect taxi drivers and other public transportation drivers. We ask for your support."

The black box video attached to the petition shows A, seated in the back of the taxi, leaning toward the driver’s seat to assault taxi driver B, and when she tries to report to the police, he covers her mouth and appears to obstruct and make physical contact.