"Terrifying SUV": Former National Football Player Reported for Retaliatory Driving

[Anchor]

A report has been filed alleging that a former national football team player engaged in retaliatory driving on a downtown Seoul road. However, investigative authorities concluded there was no intent to threaten the other driver and did not recognize the charges, though experts reached a different verdict.

Reporter Jeong Jiyeon investigated exclusively.

[Reporter]

The moment 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. Why didn't you yield to me?]

The problematic driving continued until exiting the tunnel.

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

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

The taxi driver recalls that although they flashed their high beams to issue a warning, the threatening driving persisted.

The vehicle, which was driving while partially straddling lanes, appeared to move toward the underpass before abruptly swerving the steering wheel once more.

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

Police launched an investigation into A on charges of special intimidation using a vehicle, but decided not to forward the case in June, concluding there was "insufficient evidence to view it as 'retaliatory driving' with the intent to threaten."

Although the taxi driver appealed the decision and filed an objection with the prosecution, the prosecution also issued a non-indictment disposition, stating that "it is not obvious that there was an intentional attempt to cause harm, and it was not sufficient to incite fear."

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

[Shim Jun-ho / Former Police Officer & Lawyer: It moves out into the second lane. There is no reason for it to enter the third lane. (When overtaking) it should have maintained a safe following distance and used turn signals, but none of that happened. It looks intentional.]

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

As sudden braking immediately after overtaking is cited as a typical example, calls are growing for clearer judgment requirements, including how to determine intent.

(Video reporting: Kim Seung-tae, Video editing: Shin Seeun, Design: Byun Dayoung, Footage courtesy of Han Moon-chul TV)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.