South Korean Taxi Driver Sets Himself On Fire To Protest Carpool App

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Taxi Driver Sets Himself On Fire To Protest Carpooling Service

The war between taxi and ride share drivers is becoming more intense by the day—and we’re not just talking America.

Over in South Korea, a 57-year-old man died after protesting a new carpooling service proposal. According to the New York Post, the driver “doused himself in flammable liquid” before lighting his clothing on fire while sitting in a taxi.

“Unionized tax-drivers have held rallies in the capital, Seoul, to protest the carpooling app proposed by Kakao Mobility, which they say threatens their jobs,” the site states. “Kakao Mobility, the transportation service arm of top mobile messenger operator Kakao Corp, said on Friday it was testing the carpooling app despite opposition from taxi drivers who want the government to refuse permission for the service.”

“We are still in the middle of a tug-of-war against the government to stop the carpool service,” said an official at the Korea National Joint Conference of Taxi Association.

After the man’s death a spokeswoman for Kakao Mobility spoke out, saying in a statement “We feel sorry and sad and express our condolences.” Prayers to his loved ones and may he rest in peace.