Fatal hit-and-run accident involving unlicensed rental car during Chuseok holiday... Cheong "Accident driver sent to detention"
[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] The Blue House has decided to strengthen penalties, including increasing fines tenfold, in response to a national petition demanding strict punishment for a fatal accident caused by an unlicensed rental car driver during the Chuseok holiday. The driver involved in the accident has been detained, and the passenger is also undergoing legal proceedings.
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On the 24th, the Blue House stated, "Regarding the accident that occurred on October 1st at a crosswalk in Hwasun-eup, Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do, more than 251,000 citizens agreed to a national petition titled 'We demand strong punishment for the teenage driver and passengers who killed a 22-year-old nephew in an unlicensed hit-and-run accident on Chuseok day.'"
Son Myeong-su, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said in response to the petition, "First, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the petitioner and the bereaved family who suddenly lost a family member due to an unlicensed rental car driver," adding, "The government will do its best in cooperation with related ministries to eradicate accidents caused by unlicensed rental car driving."
The National Police Agency applied charges of unlicensed driving under the Road Traffic Act and hit-and-run causing death under the Special Act to the driver involved and sent him to prosecution under detention. The passenger was sent to prosecution on charges of aiding unlicensed driving under the Road Traffic Act. Those who lent their names for the rental car lease were also sent to prosecution without detention on charges of paid transportation under the Passenger Transport Service Act. Investigations are underway to apprehend those who illegally brokered rental car leases.
Vice Minister Son said, "The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport requires rental car companies to verify driver qualifications when renting vehicles and prohibits car rental if the driver does not have a license," adding, "It is very unfortunate that such a tragic incident like this petition has occurred."
Vice Minister Son stated, "First, we will strengthen guidance to rental car companies to verify driver qualifications, and increase penalties for violations. We plan to strengthen penalties by raising the fine for rental car companies violating the obligation to verify driver qualifications from the current 500,000 KRW to 5,000,000 KRW, a tenfold increase."
He also said, "The Passenger Transport Service Act was amended and promulgated on October 20th and is scheduled to take effect on January 21st next year. To prevent cases where unlicensed persons rent cars using someone else's name, the act prohibits borrowing or lending another person's name and brokering such acts. Violations are punishable by imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million KRW."
Meanwhile, from the end of November, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to conduct intensive crackdowns with local governments and related agencies on rental businesses violating the obligation to verify driver qualifications, imposing fines and other related measures for violations. The Ministry of Education will also provide education to middle and high school students about the dangers of unlicensed driving and the possibility of criminal punishment.
Vice Minister Son said, "The government will continue to seek ways to eradicate unlicensed driving and illegal rental car leasing. We ask the public to recognize that unlicensed driving is unacceptable under any circumstances."
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