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Seoul Court Orders Detention of Suspected Drunk Driver in Japanese Tourist's Death

The ruling follows a fatal Dongdaemun crosswalk crash that has drawn scrutiny from Japanese media over DUI enforcement.

Overview

  • The Seoul Central District Court issued an arrest warrant to detain the suspect, surnamed Seo, citing concerns he might flee.
  • Police say he hit a mother and her daughter at a crosswalk near Dongdaemun Station around 10 p.m. Sunday while driving an electric vehicle.
  • The mother, in her 50s, died at a hospital, and her daughter was injured during a three-day visit from Osaka as they headed toward Naksan Park.
  • Investigators reported a blood-alcohol level above 0.08 percent, and the suspect told police he had consumed three bottles of soju before driving.
  • At court he apologized and indicated he would pay to transport the victim’s body and cover funeral expenses, as TV Asahi spotlighted Korea’s DUI rates and penalties.