Taxi Driver Who Blocked Ambulance Belatedly Says "Sincerely Sorry to the Victim"

Taxi Driver Mr. Choi Apologizes to Victim at Sentencing Hearing

Prosecution Seeks 7-Year Prison Sentence for Mr. Choi
"Doubtful if He Truly Repents"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] "I am truly sorry. I have reflected on how much pain my personality has caused my family, acquaintances, and the victims, and I will never repeat the same mistake again."

This was the final statement made by taxi driver Choi Mo (31), who blocked an ambulance transporting an emergency patient to the hospital after a minor collision, demanding that the accident be handled first. At the time of the accident, he confidently said, "I will take responsibility, so call 119 for the patient. I will take responsibility if they die," but later tearfully apologized to the victim.

According to the legal community on the 26th, the prosecution requested a 7-year prison sentence for Choi, who was tried on charges including special assault (intentional accident) and obstruction of business, at the sentencing hearing held on the 23rd under Judge Lee Yoo-young of the Seoul Eastern District Court Criminal Division 3.

In the prosecution's sentencing opinion, they stated, "The defendant initially denied all charges during the first investigation, but as the investigation continued, he submitted a handwritten statement confessing to the crime. However, in court, he showed an attitude suggesting he was not at fault for some of the charges. This raises doubts about whether he is truly remorseful."

They added, "The defendant has 11 prior records of violence and has repeatedly committed similar crimes such as insurance fraud over several years. Although he was not indicted for murder, a serious outcome occurred with the death of a patient during ambulance transport, and the bereaved families still demand severe punishment."

Following the prosecution's sentencing request, Choi's defense counsel appealed for leniency to the court. In the final argument, the defense attorney said, "The defendant deeply regrets the patient's death and feels sorry to the bereaved families. The defendant was fully aware that there was an actual patient and did not act deliberately."

In his final statement, Choi tearfully apologized to the victims. He said, "I deeply regret causing the accident by failing to control my emotions and not yielding to the vehicle cutting in, illegally claiming insurance money. If the court shows leniency and I return to society, I will not engage in driving work and will live honestly with a lifelong commitment to reflection and rebirth."

This attitude is completely different from Choi's behavior at the time of the accident. He said, "Handle the accident first," and "If the patient dies, I will take responsibility."

Also, when he appeared at the Seoul Eastern District Court in July for a pre-trial detention hearing, he responded to reporters' questions such as "You said you would take responsibility if the patient dies, how will you do that?" with "I don't know what you're talking about," as he headed into the courtroom. When asked if he had anything to say to the bereaved families, he waved his hand dismissively saying "Nothing," and remained silent to other questions.

However, after the hearing, outside the courthouse, Choi said, "I will sincerely cooperate with the investigation" when asked if he knew the patient was an emergency case, and when asked if he had anything to say to the bereaved families, he replied, "I express my regrets."

In June, Choi caused public outrage by blocking the road for about 10 minutes after a minor collision with an ambulance near Godeok Station on Seoul Subway Line 5 in Gangdong-gu, Seoul. The ambulance was transporting a 79-year-old stage 4 lung cancer patient who was experiencing breathing difficulties. The patient was transferred to another ambulance and taken to the hospital but ultimately passed away around 9 p.m. that day.

Choi's sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 21.