Song Eonseok Calls for Eradicating Drunk and Unlicensed Driving, Crimes That Threaten Lives

Intensive Crackdown on Drunk Driving During Holidays
Drunk and Unlicensed Driving Cannot Be Tolerated Under Any Circumstances

According to an analysis by Song Eonseok, Member of the National Assembly (People Power Party floor leader, Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, 3-term), of data submitted by the National Police Agency, the number of drunk driving and unlicensed driving cases detected during holiday periods over the past five years has remained similar to, or even exceeded, normal periods, despite intensive crackdowns during holiday seasons.

In particular, more drunk driving cases have been detected during the Chuseok holiday than during the Lunar New Year holiday, and in some years, the average daily number of drunk driving cases during the Chuseok period was even higher than the annual daily average.

Song Eonseok, Member of the National Assembly (Floor Leader of the People Power Party, Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang, three-term) / Kim Ihwan, Reporter

According to the figures on drunk driving and unlicensed driving detections submitted by the National Police Agency, the average daily number of drunk driving cases detected in 2025 was 290.1. However, during the Chuseok holiday in the same year, the average daily number of drunk driving cases detected was 293.0, exceeding the annual average. In contrast, the average daily number of drunk driving cases detected during the Lunar New Year holiday was 221.8, significantly lower than during Chuseok.

This pattern was repeated in previous years. During the 2023 Chuseok holiday, the average daily number of drunk driving cases detected was 399.3, far exceeding both the Lunar New Year holiday (262.5) and the annual average (356.6). In 2022 as well, the average daily number of drunk driving cases during the Chuseok holiday was 373.0, higher than both the Lunar New Year holiday (255.6) and the annual average (356.9).

Unlicensed driving showed a similar trend. In 2025, the average daily number of unlicensed driving cases detected was 182.8 over the year and 87.8 during the Lunar New Year holiday, but it reached an average of 132.0 per day during the Chuseok holiday. In 2024, the average daily number of unlicensed driving cases detected during the Chuseok holiday was 202.6, far surpassing the Lunar New Year holiday (94.0) and approaching the annual average (216.8).

These statistics show that the dangers of drunk driving and unlicensed driving remain present on the roads even during holiday seasons, when family travel is heavily concentrated.

Floor leader Song Eonseok stated, "Drunk driving and unlicensed driving can lead to irreversible accidents with a single choice," and added, "Since drunk driving and unlicensed driving are acts that can never be tolerated under any circumstances, I urge all citizens to remain constantly vigilant and absolutely refrain from such behavior."

He went on to say, "Because one person's irresponsible choice can threaten not only their own life but also the lives of others, a culture of safe driving that considers one another is more important than anything else," stressing, "Please observe basic traffic safety rules so that everyone can spend the holiday season safely."