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Lawmakers seek to make public identities of drunk drivers
Bae Seung-joon, left, older brother of late Seung-ah, 9, speaks during a press conference at the National Assembly, Sunday, urging lawmakers to pass a proposal to be made by Rep. Ha Tae-kyeung, right, that will make public the identities of drunk drivers in cases where their crimes result in the death of another person. Yonhap
By Ko Dong-hwan
By Ko Dong-hwan
Lawmakers are moving to make public the identities of intoxicated drivers whose illegal driving results in death of another person. Under current laws, the identity of such criminals remains confidential.
The move comes as Bae Seung-ah, a nine-year-old elementary school student, was killed in Daejeon by a drunk driver identified by the surname Bang, 66, while walking with her friends. Three other children aged 9 to 11 were also injured. A recording from a safety camera near the scene was released to the public through news reports and online, raising public ire.
Rep. Ha Tae-keung of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) on Sunday held a press conference at the National Assembly and said he will propose a new law making the perpetrators' identities open to the public. A revision to the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes proposes that those who cause the death of another person while drunk driving or who are found driving under the influence of alcohol twice in 10 years will be identified to the public.
Noting that the nation already releases the identities of sex offenders and perpetrators of other serious crimes, Ha said the recent accident regarding Bae should raise awareness of the dangers of drunk driving and also serve as a warning on the criminality and repercussions of such actions.
Bae's older brother, Seung-joon, was present at the press conference, urging the National Assembly to pass the proposal.
Rep. Ha said the proposal will be jointly submitted by one of the lawmakers from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea.
Another similar proposal is expected to be made within this month, according to Rep. Yun Chang-hyun of the PPP, Sunday. He said he will propose a revision to the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Specific Violent Crimes, which forces the release of identities of drunk drivers whose actions result in the death of child pedestrians in school zones to be made public.
The Daejeon Dunsan Police Station on Monday sent Bang, who was being held in police custody, to the city's district prosecutor's office. He was arrested at the scene after locals reported the crime to the police.