Japanese netizens question lenient drunk-driving penalties in Korea after fatal crash
The death of a Japanese tourist who was struck by a drunk driver in Seoul has sparked criticism in Japan over what many see as Korea’s lenient punishment for such offenses. A post believed to have been written by a member of the victim’s family has drawn widespread attention online, questioning whether strong penalties are possible under Korean law. A social media user with the handle abcz8756 wrote Tuesday, “In Korea, my mother and sister were hit by a drunk driver. My mother died, and my sister is in [a] critical condition.” The post added, “I heard that drunk drivers in Korea often receive light punishment and no compensation. Is it really impossible to impose stricter penalties, unlike in Japan?” The online post garnered over 1.8 million views and 20,000 likes in a single day, with both Japanese and Korean users offering condolences. Many Korean commenters expressed sympathy, saying they also “want harsher punishment for drunk drivers.” The accident occurred at around 10 p.m. Saturday, when a man in his 30s whose surname is Seo drove onto a sidewalk near Dongdaemun Sta
Nov 6, 2025By Hankookilbo
