Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
Taxi driver sets himself on fire in protest over ride-hailing service Tada
Yonhap
By Jung Min-ho
By Jung Min-ho
A taxi driver has died after setting himself on fire in a protest over ride-sharing service Tada.
According to police and firefighters Wednesday, the driver, surnamed Ahn, 76, set himself alight near Seoul Plaza in central Seoul about 3:20 a.m.
He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Police found an oil container and protest banners, including one that said “Tada Out,” next to and inside his vehicle.
Tada is operated by mobility startup VCNC (Value Creator and Company), a subsidiary of car-sharing service SoCar. Since its launch in October 2018, the Tada app has gained popularity in major cities.
Taxi associations have strongly opposed the introduction of such services operated by companies such as Kakao Mobility and VCNC, claiming they pose a big threat to the entire taxi industry and their lives.
In protest at ride-hailing services, two taxi drivers burned themselves to death in December 2018 and January.