Former National Football Player Reported for Reckless Driving

[Anchor]

A report was recently filed against a former national football player for alleged retaliatory driving. Although investigative authorities did not acknowledge the charges, some experts reached a different conclusion.

Jeong Jiyeon has the details in Morning Zoom-In.

[Reporter]

As a white SUV attempts to make a right turn toward a tunnel, a taxi driving straight passes by first. The SUV then suddenly accelerates and overtakes the taxi inside the tunnel.

[Han Moon-chul / Lawyer: It roars from behind, as if saying, "Why didn't you yield to me?"]

The questionable driving continued until exiting the tunnel.

However, a no-passing sign is posted right at the entrance of the tunnel.

[Taxi Driver: It made a roaring sound, moved into the second lane, and cut in front of the third lane. I was so startled. It was the kind of terror that any ordinary driver would feel.]

The taxi driver recalls that the threatening driving persisted even after flashing high beams as a warning.

The vehicle, driving halfway over the lane markings, appeared to move toward the underpass before abruptly swerving its steering wheel once more.

In March, a report was filed claiming retaliatory driving near a tunnel in Mapo-gu, Seoul, and the driver identified as the perpetrator was a former national football player, A.

Police investigated A on charges of special intimidation using a vehicle, but decided not to forward the case in June, concluding that there was insufficient evidence to prove retaliatory driving with the intent to threaten.

Although the taxi driver filed an objection with the prosecution, the prosecution also decided not to indict, stating that it was not clearly evident that there was an intentional attempt to cause harm, nor was it sufficient to induce fear.

However, some experts who reviewed the footage judged that there is considerable room to view A's actions as intentional.

[Shim Jun-ho / Former Police Officer and Lawyer: It moves into the second lane, doesn't it? There is no reason for it to enter the third lane. (When overtaking), it should maintain distance and use turn signals, but none of that happened. It appears intentional.]

Criticism has consistently been raised that the criteria for determining retaliatory driving remain ambiguous.

While sudden braking immediately after overtaking is cited as a typical example, critics point out that clearer judgment requirements, including the presence of intent, need to be established.

(Video by Kim Seung-tae | Video Editing by Shin Seeun | Design: Byun Dayoung | Footage courtesy of Han Moon-chul TV)

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