Passenger claiming to be a Hong-eo-bae crew member arrives in Mokpo... skips out on 350,000 won taxi fare

Family of Taxi Driver Reveals Passenger Captured on Black Box

A passenger who took a taxi for about 280 km from Onyang in Asan, Chungnam to Mokpo in Jeonnam allegedly committed a ‘meoktwi’ (running away without paying), sparking public outrage online.

Taxis are waiting for passengers. This photo is unrelated to the driver. [Asia Economy Archive Photo]

Recently, a post believed to be from the child of the taxi driver was uploaded on the online community BobaeDream. According to the story, Mr. A, who works as a taxi driver despite physical difficulties, picked up a passenger at Onyang Oncheon Station in Asan, Chungnam around 1:46 PM on the 27th and drove them to Mokpo, Jeonnam. The one-way distance between the two locations is 280 km, making the round trip 560 km.

The taxi fare was reported to be around 350,000 KRW. Upon arriving in Mokpo, the passenger said, “There is someone who will pay the taxi fare,” and left. Trusting this, Mr. A waited for the passenger until late at night. Ultimately, the passenger did not return.

The writer stated, “What hurts more is that my father, who has physical difficulties, is the trusting type and waited for the passenger until late at night, believing they would come back,” adding, “My father drove a total of 560 km round trip. We will definitely catch him and show that there will be no leniency.” They further explained, “The black box footage shows many videos of him waiting until late at night.”

Mr. A returned home in Asan, Chungnam at 11:30 PM that night. Because of the passenger who fled without paying, he wasted 11 hours.

A passenger who took a taxi from Asan, Chungnam to Mokpo, Jeolla and ran away without paying the fare.
[Photo by Online Community]

Eventually, the writer revealed images of the passenger recorded on the vehicle’s black box, with the face obscured. In the photos, the passenger is seen wearing a black hat and a black padded jacket, lingering in front of the taxi. The writer said, “The passenger appeared to be a middle-aged man in his 50s or 60s and told the taxi driver he was a crew member going to board a skate fish fishing boat.”

Netizens commented, “He must be caught,” and “Driving over 500 km is so exhausting, how could someone be so bad?” Under current law, fare evasion is considered a minor offense punishable by a fine of up to 100,000 KRW. However, if intentionality is recognized or the act is habitual, it could be prosecuted as fraud under criminal law. Fraud carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million KRW.