The Uber co-founder was indicted in December 2014 on charges of violating the Passenger Transport Service Act. (image: Pexels)
SEOUL, June 29 (Korea Bizwire) – Travis Kalanick, the CEO of Uber, abruptly notified South Korean courts Wednesday, June 29, that he would not be present for court proceedings scheduled to take place on the same day.
The Uber co-founder was indicted in December 2014 on charges of violating the Passenger Transport Service Act.
Uber entered the South Korean market in 2013 and launched a smartphone service, UberX, in partnership with MK Korea, a rental-car service operator. Amidst high expectations, however, the Seoul Metropolitan Government filed a complaint, citing the domestic law that prohibits rental-car service operators from offering taxi services.
However, the court revealed Wednesday morning that Mr. Kalanick submitted a document to the court asking that the trial date be postponed, citing his busy circumstances. (image: Wikimedia)
Since the indictment in 2014, Mr. Kalanick has ignored a Korean court summons four times.
Earlier this month on June 2, he submitted an application requesting the appointment of a trial date, which was eventually set for June 29.
However, the court revealed Wednesday morning that Mr. Kalanick submitted a document to the court asking that the trial date be postponed, citing his busy circumstances.
Although the court said it would change the trial date, if Mr. Kalanick spurns the court summons once more, it’s unlikely that the trial will ever take place.
Violators of the Passenger Transport Service Act are subject to a maximum 2-year imprisonment or fine of 20 million won. The CEO of MK Korea has already been fined 2 million won for the company’s partnership with Uber.
By Joseph Shin (jss539@koreabizwire.com)
