Drunk Driving After 24 Years... Anti-Corruption Commission: "License Revocation Justified After Two Offenses"

An administrative appeal ruling has found that the revocation of a driver's license for individuals with two or more drunk driving offenses is justified.

On September 17, the Central Administrative Appeals Commission under the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission announced that it had rejected the administrative appeal filed by Mr. A, whose license was revoked due to two or more drunk driving offenses.

Mr. A, who was caught drunk driving again this past June after a previous offense in September 2001, had his Class 1 large vehicle and Class 1 regular vehicle licenses revoked and subsequently filed an administrative appeal. He argued that revoking all his licenses due to a drunk driving record from 24 years ago caused him greater harm than the public interest would benefit.

However, the Central Administrative Appeals Commission did not accept Mr. A's claim, stating that two or more drunk driving offenses constitute a mandatory administrative action with no room for discretion. According to the Road Traffic Act, if a person is caught drunk driving two or more times after June 30, 2001, all licenses are revoked, and the individual is prohibited from obtaining a new license for two years.

Jo Soyoung, Chairperson of the Central Administrative Appeals Commission, stated, "This decision confirms that all driver's licenses will be revoked for two or more drunk driving offenses. Even a single sip of alcohol means you must never drive."