"That's the Procedure" vs "Still, It's Too Much"... Heated Debate Over Bills Sent to Bereaved Families

Delay of about 2 hours in corpse transfer due to fire regulations
Netizens divided over advance payment of handling costs

The bereaved families of the nine victims who died in the wrong-way driving disaster near Seoul City Hall Station have been charged 800,000 won for body transportation and on-site recovery costs during their mourning period, sparking mixed reactions from netizens. The private ambulance company that recovered the bodies and transported them to the funeral home after the wrong-way driving accident at City Hall Station recently billed each bereaved family 800,000 won.

A representative of the company told MBN on the 6th, "We first receive payment from the bereaved families and then claim it through car insurance, etc." It is reported that the on-site recovery costs charged to the families will be borne again by the responsible party, either the driver or the vehicle manufacturer, after the cause of the accident is determined.

On the night of the 1st, debris from the accident was scattered on the sidewalk at the intersection near Seoul City Hall Station, where a major traffic accident occurred. A police official stated, "It appears that a male driver in his 70s hit pedestrians waiting at the signal," adding, "We are currently assessing the situation, and the number of casualties may increase."
[Photo by Yonhap News]

This billing fact first came to light when a netizen posted on an online community. A person identified as A, a friend of the bereaved families of the wrong-way driving accident, said, "During the funeral, the bereaved families received a bill demanding payment of 800,000 won for body transportation and on-site recovery costs," adding, "The families lamented, 'We did not want this to happen to us, so is it right that we have to pay?' Is it acceptable to be this tragic?"

The reason the victims' bodies were transported by a private company rather than an ambulance was due to internal fire department regulations. The fire department that responded at the time reportedly followed the rule that "ambulances prioritize transporting emergency patients and do not transport deceased persons," so they installed body bags and privacy screens for the deceased at the scene and called a private transportation company. It is said that this process delayed the body transportation by about two hours.

Upon hearing this news, netizens were divided between those who felt it was inappropriate to make the bereaved families pay the recovery costs upfront and those who thought it was natural to pay first if a private company was used. One netizen criticized, "Shouldn't this be discussed with the perpetrator's insurance company?" Another pointed out, "How can they charge the victims for on-site recovery costs? It should be paid by the person who caused the accident."

On the other hand, some netizens responded, "It's unfortunate, but since the private company worked, it is natural to pay the costs," "What fault does the private company have?" and "Ambulances prioritize transporting emergency patients." One netizen commented, "It's really heartbreaking, but there is a procedure. The payment is not actually taken from the bereaved families; ultimately, the insurance side pays."

On the 3rd, a message commemorating employees who died in a wrong-way traffic accident near City Hall Station appeared on the electronic display board in the lobby of Shinhan Bank Headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Earlier, on the afternoon of the 1st, at the intersection near Seoul City Hall Station, a driver in his 60s, Mr. Cha, was driving a Genesis vehicle and exited the underground parking lot of the Westin Chosun Hotel, then drove about 200 meters in the wrong direction on a one-way four-lane road before crashing onto the left sidewalk. This accident resulted in the deaths of nine innocent citizens and injuries to seven others. Mr. Cha suffered a fractured rib and is currently hospitalized. On the 4th, he underwent his first suspect interrogation at the hospital for about two hours.

The police plan to conduct a second formal suspect interrogation soon after consulting with Mr. Cha and receiving a medical opinion. During the second investigation, the police intend to question the basis for Mr. Cha's continuous claim of sudden unintended acceleration and the reasons for driving the wrong way. In the first suspect interrogation, Mr. Cha claimed, "I pressed the brake at the time of the accident, but it felt hard," asserting sudden unintended acceleration due to a vehicle malfunction.