The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Wed, August 17, 2022 | 15:55
Health & Science
Tougher drunk-driving law set to come into force
Posted : 2019-04-23 15:45
Updated : 2019-04-23 15:45
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
No soju before driving, not even a sip. GETTYIMAGESBANK
No soju before driving, not even a sip. GETTYIMAGESBANK

By Jung Min-ho

Drinking just one glass of soju before driving could soon land you in legal trouble.

A tougher law against drunk driving will come into force on June 25, the National Police Agency said Tuesday.

Under the law, drivers whose blood-alcohol concentration is 0.03 percent or higher could end up behind bars ― a stricter standard than the current 0.05 percent.

Drivers whose blood-alcohol concentration is between 0.03 and 0.08 percent could face up to a year in prison or a maximum fine of 5 million won ($4,400). Those whose blood-alcohol level is between 0.08 and 0.2 percent could receive a prison sentence of up to two years or a fine of up to 10 million won. Anyone with a higher reading could face up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million won.

If a person refuses to comply with a police request for a blood-alcohol test, he or she could face up to five years in prison or a maximum fine of 20 million won.

According to police, the number of drunk-driving cases between January and March this year was 27,376, down 27.7 percent from the same period last year.

During that period, the number of traffic accidents caused by drunk driving in Korea dropped 35.3 percent from a year earlier to 3,212. Meanwhile, the death toll from the accidents and the number of people injured plummeted 37.6 percent and 37.3 percent, respectively, to 58 and 5,437.

Police said they will continue to run an awareness campaign on drunk driving and vowed to crack down on violators.


Emailmj6c2@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
LG
  • Korean builders desperate for foreign construction workers
  • 2 Buddhist monks assault solo protester
  • Western, traditional Korean medicine doctors clash over terminology
  • Korea grapples with excess rice
  • Gates calls on Korea to play greater role in fight against COVID-19 pandemic
  • Instructors furious over scaling down of gugak in music teacher education
  • Ruling party chief accuses president of verbal abuse
  • Concerns grow over Korea's pension fund
  • Do Kwon says he will cooperate with investigation
  • NPS reduces Samsung shares, while increasing TSMC stocks
  • Interactive News
  • With tough love,
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • A tale of natural wine
    • Girls' Generation music video director apologizes for copying design Girls' Generation music video director apologizes for copying design
    • 2PM's Lee Jun-ho proves versatility at 'Before Midnight' concert 2PM's Lee Jun-ho proves versatility at 'Before Midnight' concert
    • Star directors' new series to A-listers' small screen comeback expected in coming weeks Star directors' new series to A-listers' small screen comeback expected in coming weeks
    • NewJeans sets record with debut album NewJeans sets record with debut album
    • 'Confidential Assignment 2' has even more action, humor 'Confidential Assignment 2' has even more action, humor
    DARKROOM
    • Ice is melting, land is burning

      Ice is melting, land is burning

    • Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

      Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

    • Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

      Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

    • Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

      Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

    • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

      Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

    The Korea Times
    CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
    Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
    Tel : 02-724-2114
    Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
    Date of registration : 2020.02.05
    Masthead : The Korea Times
    Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
    • About Us
    • Introduction
    • History
    • Location
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
    • Products & Service
    • Subscribe
    • E-paper
    • Mobile Service
    • RSS Service
    • Content Sales
    • Policy
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
    • 고충처리인
    • Youth Protection Policy
    • Code of Ethics
    • Copyright Policy
    • Family Site
    • Hankook Ilbo
    • Dongwha Group