Man fined for assaulting designated driver over political talk

A 60-year-old man in South Korea has been fined 1 million won (approximately $720 USD) for assaulting a designated driver who requested he stop talking about politics. The incident, which occurred in late June 2023, saw the man, identified as A, strike the driver, B, after B asked him to cease his political commentary.

According to court documents, A was speaking with B in the driver's seat of his own cargo vehicle outside an apartment complex in Yangsan, Gyeongsang Province. During their conversation, A repeatedly made derogatory remarks about a specific political party. When B asked him to stop the political discussion, A became enraged and slapped B across the face.

The Ulsan District Court, presided over by Judge Kim Jeong-jin, handed down the fine on August 23. The court cited A's multiple previous offenses, including similar acts of violence, and his failure to reach a settlement with the victim as key factors in its sentencing decision.