20s Fined for Insulting Drunk Driving Police with "Xsinah" and "Xsaeya"

Reported Drunk Driving, Then Complained and Misbehaved to Police When Tested Negative

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] A man in his 20s who cursed at police officers dispatched for a drunk driving test and blew cigarette smoke at them was sentenced to a fine in the first trial.

On the 3rd, Judge Lee Jae-kyung of Criminal Division 10 at the Seoul Southern District Court announced that he sentenced Jo Mo (25, male), who was indicted for obstruction of official duties and insult, to a fine of 6 million won.

The judge stated, "It is necessary to strictly punish crimes that harm the functions of the state by obstructing the legitimate exercise of public authority," adding, "However, considering the minor degree of assault and the defendant's reflection during about one month of detention," as reasons for the sentencing.

On July 24 last year, around 11:30 p.m., Jo reported to 112 that a Mercedes-Benz passenger car driven by Mr. A was swerving on a road in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, saying, "I am catching a drunk driver." Two police officers from the local precinct who responded to the call conducted a drunk driving test on Mr. A, but the result was negative.

However, dissatisfied with this result, Jo had an altercation with the police officers, getting close to their faces while saying, "Don't glare at me." When the police asked him to wear a mask, he blew cigarette smoke at them. When the police asked for his personal information to book him for obstruction of official duties, Jo uttered curses such as "Don't talk down to me, you son of a b****," and "You a**hole."

It was also investigated that Jo had a prior record of several violent crimes and committed a reoffense during the probation period for an injury charge.