Prejudice on the Road, Justice Adrift: Xenophobic Driver Smashes Luggage, Refuses Compensation, Continues Working

A South Korean traveler in Kaohsiung hailed a taxi, only for the driver to erupt in anger upon learning their nationality, shouting, 'I don't carry Koreans!' He then violently threw the 45kg luggage to the ground, even kicking it and destroying it, shattering the laptop and tablet inside for a loss exceeding NT$70,000. This wasn't a simple 'refusal of service' dispute; it was an act of public violence motivated by nationality. What's even more chilling is the aftermath. The driver offered no apology or compensation when police arrived, coldly responding 'I don't know' to the traveler's claims. Reports indicate the driver only offered NT$1,000, a stark contrast to the NT$70,000-80,000 demanded by the traveler, and no settlement was reached. Yet, this driver has since returned to the fleet and continues to operate. Without compensation, without apology, and without any substantial penalty, the cost of prejudice is borne solely by the victim. South Korean media initially reported that prosecutors had issued a non-prosecution order citing reasons like 'the defendant's remorse,' igniting public outrage with thousands of comments threatening to boycott travel to Taiwan. The Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office subsequently issued a stern clarification, emphasizing that the case is still under investigation according to law and that no non-prosecution decision had been made, calling it a misunderstanding. While judicial due process naturally takes time, restoring public trust cannot rely solely on a single clarification. The reality of the victim not receiving compensation and the perpetrator continuing to operate is more disheartening than any false report. When prejudice overrides professionalism and nationality becomes a reason for violence, what is damaged is not just the laptop in the suitcase, but society's fundamental commitment to the rule of law and civilization. They actually let him go back to work... This rotten judicial system is embarrassing us internationally 🙄