A 68-year-old man in Taiwan has been formally charged with assault after striking a 20-year-old passenger on the Taipei MRT for refusing to give up a priority seat. The confrontation occurred around 6pm on Tuesday, 27 January.
According to Taiwan’s United Daily News, the elderly man, identified as Wang (Mandarin transliteration), boarded the train at Houshanpi Station and noticed 20-year-old Pan occupying the priority seat. After another passenger offered Wang a seat, he confronted Pan, accusing him of having a “failed education” for not yielding.
The argument escalated quickly, with Wang punching Pan in the face, hitting his right jaw and wrist. Both men exited at Yongchun Station, where station staff assisted in filing a report. Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation officers arrived after being notified of the disturbance.
During the inquiry, Wang admitted to the assault. Pan indicated his intention to press charges for the injuries sustained. Both were taken to the Wufenpu Precinct of the Xinyi Police District to record statements before Wang was referred for prosecution on assault charges.
Footage of the incident, captured by a bystander and shared online, has sparked widespread debate. Many condemned Wang’s actions as excessive, while others expressed they would have voluntarily given up the priority seat.
