Uber’s chief executive is among 30 charged with operating illegal taxi ring in South Korea

According to Yonhap News Agency, Seoul District Police have charged 30 people associated with the company, including chief executive Travis Kalanick.

 

Others range from Uber Korea's brand manager to the heads of car rental companies and a number of drivers. They are suspected of  “connecting passengers with nearby drivers through the Uber Taxi app without a license”. 

 

They say the country's local transportation law has been violated – it is illegal for transport services to operate by partnering with local rental car service companies, and for unlicensed drivers to lure customers with the app. 

 

By not registering the app with the Korea Communication Commission, the individuals have also been accused of breaching South Korea's information laws. 

 

"Uber's service is used worldwide, but most of its cars and drivers are unlicensed," a spokesperson for Seoul District Police said.

 

"It disturbs the cab industry, and they are not paying any taxes because there are no proper taxation processes in place."

 

This is not the first time Kalanick has been in trouble in South Korea, but tensions have never escalated to this level before. "If Kalanick continues to disobey the summons, we plan to seek an arrest warrant against him," a police official said.