Famous Pianist Sentenced to Prison in First Trial for Kicking Taxi Driver's Groin and Assaulting Police Officer

Suspected of Assault and Obstruction of Official Duties
Committed Crimes Again in January This Year Following October Last Year

This article is not related.

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] A pianist who assaulted a taxi driver and also attacked police officers who responded to the call was sentenced to imprisonment in the first trial.

Kim Woo-jung, Chief Judge of Criminal Division 8 at the Seoul Western District Court, sentenced A (48), who was charged with injury, obstruction of official duties, and violation of the Minor Offenses Act, to 8 months in prison and a fine of 600,000 won.

The court stated, "The defendant committed repeated violent crimes such as obstruction of official duties while intoxicated, and the nature of the crimes is not light," adding, "Obstruction of official duties requires strict punishment to eradicate the disregard for public authority and to establish legal order, and the defendant has multiple prior convictions for similar and different crimes."

However, the court explained the sentencing reasons, saying, "The defendant admitted to the crimes and showed remorse, deposited 2 million won for the victim, and has no prior record of punishment exceeding fines for violent crimes."

A is accused of verbally abusing a taxi driver and stabbing his neck and kicking his groin after being charged the taxi fare on a road in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, around October 15 last year.

Subsequently, A was arrested on the spot by police officers who responded to a 112 emergency call but, while intoxicated, is also accused of verbally abusing the officers with phrases like "XXX, get it right" and kicking the shin of an officer who tried to restrain him.

After this incident, A was prosecuted again on similar charges. Around January 18, while intoxicated, he allegedly jumped in front of a car driven by a woman, blocking the road, got into the back seat, and loudly cursed. He is also accused of verbally abusing and hitting a police officer’s face when the officer tried to verify his identity.

The court consolidated all these cases and sentenced A to imprisonment as stated.

Meanwhile, A is known as a pianist who has appeared on several broadcasts.