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Seoul Court Detains Suspected Drunk Driver in Death of Japanese Tourist

Police cite a blood alcohol level above the license-cancellation threshold as Japanese outlets scrutinize Korea's DUI enforcement.

A man in his 30s is taken to the Seoul Central District Court in the capital on Nov. 5, 2025, to attend a hearing on the legality of his arrest for allegedly killing a Japanese woman and injuring her daughter while driving under the influence of alcohol in the capital's Dongdaemun Ward on Nov. 2. (Yonhap)
A man in his 30s is taken to the Seoul Central District Court in the capital on Nov. 5, 2025, to attend a hearing on the legality of his arrest for allegedly killing a Japanese woman and injuring her daughter while driving under the influence of alcohol in the capital's Dongdaemun Ward on Nov. 2. (Yonhap)
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Overview

  • The Seoul Central District Court issued a detention warrant for the suspect, surnamed Seo, on Nov. 5, citing flight risk concerns.
  • The collision occurred around 10 p.m. near Dongdaemun Station, killing a woman in her 50s and injuring her daughter.
  • Police measured a blood alcohol concentration above 0.08 percent, and the suspect reportedly said he drank three bottles of soju.
  • The victims were visitors from Osaka on a three-day trip and were reportedly heading toward Naksan Park when the crash happened.
  • Japanese broadcaster TV Asahi highlighted Korea’s high number of DUI cases and questioned penalties, as police continue to investigate the crash.