"Over 200,000 Sign National Petition for Severe Punishment of Taxi Driver Assault Perpetrator"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] A Blue House petition calling for the strict punishment of a man in his 20s who indiscriminately assaulted a taxi driver on the road has received over 200,000 signatures as of the 12th, making it eligible for an official government response.

The petition titled "Please Strongly Punish the Perpetrator Who Assaulted the Taxi Driver in Anyang" recorded about 205,000 participants on the morning of the 6th day since its launch.

The petitioner wrote, "I ask for the strong punishment of the perpetrator who repeatedly hit the taxi driver’s face until he lost consciousness and continued to hit him after he regained consciousness." The Blue House issues an official response through the responsible secretary or relevant ministers and vice ministers for petitions that receive more than 200,000 signatures.

The perpetrator, Park Mo (21), was arrested on the 7th on charges of injury and obstruction of official duties after assaulting a taxi driver in his 60s near Nangok Tunnel in Sillim-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, around 10 p.m. on the 5th. Park allegedly knocked the driver to the ground and assaulted him multiple times, causing injuries.

The injured taxi driver sustained wounds requiring more than eight weeks of medical treatment and is currently hospitalized, reportedly still unconscious.

Park is said to have testified that he committed the crime out of anger after the victim scolded him for vomiting.

The police plan to investigate the victim after his health improves. A police official stated, "After completing investigations of the victim and witnesses, we will consider applying more severe charges."