South Korea sees surge in drunk driving, license revocations climb

South Korea faces a growing crisis of driving under the influence, with statistics revealing a significant year-on-year increase in drunk driving offenses. In the first seven months of 2024, a staggering 287 driver's licenses were revoked due to driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This number has already surpassed the 237 revocations recorded for the entirety of 2023, signaling an alarming trend.

Data released by the office of National Assembly member Jung Chun-seung, obtained from the Korean National Police Agency, illustrates the escalating problem. Revocations stood at 80 in 2022, rose to 128 in 2023, and have surged dramatically in subsequent years, reaching 163 in 2024 and a projected 237 in 2025, with the current year's 287 revocations in just seven months underscoring the urgency.

The consequences of this rise are also becoming more severe. Drunk driving accidents have climbed, with 24 incidents causing 45 injuries in 2023. By 2024, this escalated to 70 accidents resulting in two deaths and 130 injuries. The trend continued to worsen into 2025, with 153 accidents leading to six fatalities and 267 injuries.

In response, South Korean authorities are intensifying law enforcement efforts and introducing stricter penalties for refusing sobriety tests. The country's Road Traffic Act currently lists 490 types of drugs, medications, and hallucinogenic substances that are prohibited for drivers, including central nervous system depressants like zolpidem, triazolam, diazepam, ketamine, propofol, phentermine, and oxycodone.