Taxi Company CEO Who Assaulted Bang Yeong-hwan, Resulting in 'Death by Self-Immolation,' Denies Charges in Court

Defense Attorney: "No Intent to Assault"
"No Fact of Obstructing Assembly or Demonstration"

The taxi company CEO who was prosecuted on charges of assaulting and threatening Bang Yeong-hwan (55), a taxi driver who self-immolated and died while demanding the implementation of a full salary system, denied some of the charges in court and requested bail.

At the first trial held on the 11th under Judge Choi Seon-sang of the Seoul Southern District Court Criminal Division 10, the defense attorney for CEO Jeong (51) argued, "The defendant had no intention to assault the victim, so it cannot be considered a violation of the Labor Standards Act," and "There was no obstruction of the victim's assembly or protest through assault or threats."

However, the defense admitted to the charges that Jeong attempted to throw a support pole and flowerpot at Bang and the assault charges against another employee named Jeong.

During the trial, a bail hearing was also held for Jeong, who filed the request on the 4th. Jeong's side argued, "The deceased experienced disciplinary demands from the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, court rulings against him, and dismissal of complaints by the Labor Relations Commission before his death," and "The self-immolation death cannot be attributed to the defendant's responsibility." They added, "There is no risk of evidence tampering or flight by the defendant, and statements of no punishment and petitions have been received from other victims."

In response, the prosecution countered, "This case is a representative example of abuse of power using status and authority against socially vulnerable individuals," and "Considering the very poor nature of the crime, the significant risk of reoffending, and the bereaved family's plea for severe punishment, the bail request should be denied." Bang's legal representatives also argued against bail, stating, "The defendant harassed the victim for a long time, resulting in the serious outcome of self-immolation and death," and "We have not received a sincere apology from the defendant, and even economic compensation cannot heal the victim's pain and wounds."

Bang's daughter, who appeared in court that day, appealed, "The defendant has shown no remorse even after my father's death, only posting an amount equivalent to funeral expenses as a deposit to evade the law," and "I earnestly hope for strict punishment."

According to the prosecution, Jeong is accused of assaulting Bang, a taxi driver affiliated with Haeseong Transport, who was conducting a solo protest in March last year condemning wage arrears and urging the implementation of a full salary system. In April, Jeong is also accused of verbally abusing and cursing Bang to disrupt the assembly, and in August, threatening Bang by attempting to throw a flowerpot during the protest.

Bang attempted self-immolation by dousing himself with a volatile substance on the road in front of the company on September 26 last year, the 227th day of his solo protest, and died ten days later on October 6.