Foreigners file over 6,000 Seoul taxi overcharging complaints in five years, few lead to action
Administrative measures were taken in 204 of 6,481 reports, or 3.1 per cent, between 2021 and August this year, according to city data cited by a lawmaker.
Foreigners lodged more than 6,000 complaints about alleged taxi overcharging in Seoul over five years, but only a small share led to any action. Yonhap News Agency reported the figures, citing a lawmaker, and Bernama carried the report.
Few complaints led to penalties
City government data cited by Representative Mo Gyeong-jong of the ruling Democratic Party put the total at 6,481 reports between 2021 and August this year. Administrative measures were taken in only 204 of them, or 3.1 per cent.
In 28 of those cases, drivers had their licences suspended or cancelled. The other 176 cases ended with warnings only.
More than 67 per cent of all reported cases, or 4,368, were closed internally. The data gave the reasons as difficulty verifying an overcharge and complaints being withdrawn voluntarily.
A reward that has gone unclaimed
In 2013, the city government changed its policy so that foreigners could apply for 500,000 won (US$374) in compensation if their report led to an administrative measure. The Straits Times put the sum at S$479, and said the reward has gone unused since 2021. The data showed that no payout has actually been made.
Representative Mo said few people have used the policy because public awareness is low and the application process is hard, particularly for short-term visitors.
He said: "Procedural measures that can both protect those who file a report and the majority of the taxi drivers who diligently work should be introduced."
