Police fire six shots to subdue drunken driver

Police firing shots on the tire of a SUV driven by a drunken driver at a parking lot in Ansan on Tuesday. [ GYEONGGI NAMBU PROVINCIAL POLICE AGENCY]

Police fired six shots while arresting a drunken driver who had collided with 16 vehicles and two patrol cars while attempting to evade authorities.

According to the Ansan Danwon Police Precinct on Wednesday, a 28-year-old driver was apprehended for driving under the influence on the coastal road in Danwon District, Ansan, at around 11 p.m. on Tuesday.

The intoxicated driver registered an alcohol blood content of 0.185 percent, significantly exceeding the 0.08 percent threshold for having the driver's license revoked.

A driver who found the 28-year-old's lane changes erratic reported the 28-year-old to the police.

The police said the driver didn't stop for another 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) after being told to pull over, until entering an officetel's parking lot.

The driver refused to comply with police orders and attempted to flee despite repeated demands from the police to exit the vehicle.

The driver left 16 parked vehicles and two patrol cars damaged.

The police reported firing two blank rounds and six live rounds into the vehicle's tires before breaking the window to subdue the driver using a taser gun.

"We were compelled to take decisive actions as the officers were confronting a perilous situation," a police officer said. "A total of 10 patrol cars were dispatched to the scene."

The government announced in August its intention to equip each on-duty officer with a firearm as part of its efforts to enhance public safety.

The firearms to be distributed are less lethal, with firepower equivalent to one-tenth of a .38 Special Smith & Wesson revolver.

This decision was prompted by a recent increase in random attacks, including several knife assaults since July, along with numerous threats of similar actions.

The police had been less assertive in situations where even officers themselves were exposed to dangerous situations.

Many officers were limited to using batons or taser guns, often resulting in injuries while attempting to subdue suspects.

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]