Teenagers Called Police After Last Bus Left... Parents Complain "Why Didn't You Give Them a Ride?"

False Report to Use Police Car for Easy Return Home
May Be Booked for Violation of Minor Offenses Act

The police responded to a report from a minor who said they were lost late at night, but it was revealed that the high school students were actually trying to use the police car to get home comfortably, sparking controversy.

On the 21st, an anonymous office worker community called ‘Blind’ posted a story titled ‘K-High Schooler Story That Made Me Angry Since Last Night.’ This community requires proof of employment through a company email to join, and the author of the post worked at the National Police Agency.

The author explained, "Around 11:30 PM the previous night, we received a report saying, ‘I’m a minor. I don’t know where this is.’ When we arrived, there were two high school students, 18 years old, with one having dyed yellow hair and tattoos on the left arm," adding, "In the end, they just wanted a ride home because the last train had left."

A story about a high school student attempting to use a police car as a personal means of transportation has sparked public outrage.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

He continued, "I told them it takes 40 minutes by car to get to their home, so we couldn’t take them. We’re not a taxi, and we have to respond to other reports. I asked for their parents’ contact information," but the students replied, "No need for our parents’ contact info. We’re minors, but will you take responsibility if an accident happens?"

The author, holding back his anger, said, "If you’re scared of the road, go to the local police station and ask your parents to come pick you up," to which the students asked, "By the way, what’s your name, sir?"

He added, "I thought, ‘This won’t do,’ so I gave them my name and told them to figure it out themselves and left. Exactly one hour later, I received a complaint call from the students’ parents."

According to the author, the parents complained, saying, "If the child is wandering the streets at this hour, shouldn’t you take them home?" They also said they would file a formal complaint and spread the story online.

Although this story was shared, police officers at the National Police Agency were not particularly surprised. There have been several cases where false reports were made to ride in police cars, resulting in charges under the Minor Offenses Act.

In 2015, an army soldier who made a false MERS suspicion report intending to ride in a police car was handed over to the military police on charges of obstructing official duties by deception.

There have also been cases of imprisonment. In 2018, a man in his 40s who falsely reported "I killed someone" while drunk to get a ride in a police car was sentenced to eight months in prison during his probation period.