(image: Yonhap)
ULSAN, Jul. 17 (Korea Bizwire) — As the number of taxi passengers heading to Ulsan Bridge to commit suicide continues to rise, local police authorities have asked taxi companies in the region to refuse to accept passengers who choose the bridge as their destination.
Yesterday, the Ulsan Metropolitan Police Agency sent an official document explaining the new policy to local taxi companies, asking taxi drivers to refrain from stopping at Ulsan Bridge even at the passengers’ request.
According to police, a total of six people either attempted or committed suicide from Ulsan Bridge within the last year.
Of those, three cases took place within the last month and involved taxi passengers who got off at the bridge.
Of the three cases, two committed suicide. The passengers asked the taxi driver to stop the car at the bridge before jumping to their deaths immediately.
In the official letter to taxi companies, police explained to drivers that the Ulsan Bridge roadway was exclusively for cars and that parking and stopping were prohibited. As such, taxi drivers could rightfully refuse passengers from stopping there.
Even in the case of an emergency situation, drivers were asked to stop after crossing the bridge.
Yesterday, a man in his 30s jumped to his death only four days after another suicide death on the same bridge. This year, a total of five people have committed suicide by jumping from Ulsan Bridge.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
(image: Ulsan Metropolitan Government)
