Key Facts
• October 21, 2025: Taxi veered into oncoming traffic in Seoul, causing a collision.
• Japanese family of three injured: father (29), mother (26), and 9-month-old daughter.
• Father and mother sustained rib and chest fractures, requiring 10-12 weeks of recovery.
• Infant remains unconscious and unable to breathe independently 23 days post-accident.
• Driver, in his 70s, initially claimed sudden acceleration but later admitted pedal error.
• November 2, 2025: Separate drunk driving incident killed a Japanese tourist (58) in Seoul.
• Foreign traffic accident victims in South Korea rose from 1,579 in 2023 to 1,718 in 2024.
• South Korean media criticized lax enforcement of traffic laws as a “national disgrace.”
• Memorial flowers and apology messages left at accident sites in Seoul.
• South Korea expects over 20 million foreign tourists by 2025, despite rising incidents.
Summary
A Japanese family’s vacation in Seoul turned tragic on October 21, 2025, when their taxi collided with an oncoming vehicle. The father and mother suffered severe injuries, while their 9-month-old daughter remains in critical condition. The elderly driver admitted to mistaking the accelerator for the brake. This incident follows a series of accidents involving foreign tourists, including a fatal drunk driving case on November 2. South Korean media has labeled the rising number of foreign traffic victims as a “national disgrace,” urging stricter enforcement of traffic laws. Despite these incidents, South Korea anticipates a surge in tourism, with over 20 million visitors expected by 2025.
