Prosecution Seeks 7-Year Prison Term for Drunk Driver in 'Japanese Mother and Daughter Tourist Tragedy' Case

by Choi Taewon

Published 03 Apr.2026 15:52(KST)

Prosecution Also Requests Confiscation of Drunk Driver's Vehicle

A man who was indicted for drunk driving resulting in a collision with a Japanese mother and daughter, leading to the death of the mother, has been sentenced to seven years in prison by the prosecution.

Seomo, a drunk driver who struck a Japanese mother and daughter in downtown Seoul, resulting in the death of the mother in her 50s, appeared at the pretrial detention hearing held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on November 5 last year. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On April 3, at the final trial held by Judge Lee Seong-yeol of the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 25 Single Judge, the prosecution requested a seven-year prison sentence for Mr. Seo, a man in his 30s, on charges of drunk driving under the Road Traffic Act and causing death or injury while driving under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes. The prosecution also requested the confiscation of the Tesla vehicle used at the time of the drunk driving incident.

The prosecution stated, "No financial compensation can ever make up for the loss suffered by the bereaved family," and added, "Because the victims were Japanese nationals, the case attracted attention in the Japanese media, with a series of articles expressing concern over the perceived light sentences in Korea."

Mr. Seo’s legal representatives said, "The defendant usually used substitute drivers when he drank," and added, "On the day of the accident, he attempted to call for a substitute driver several times, but he cannot remember at what point he ended up behind the wheel."

Seo is accused of hitting a Japanese tourist mother and daughter while they were crossing a crosswalk near Dongdaemun Station in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the night of November 2 last year. At the time, he was reportedly under the influence, having consumed about three bottles of soju. The accident resulted in the death of the mother, a woman in her 50s.