Park Won-soon "Visited the security guard's funeral home... Will do anything to prevent recurrence"

"A Society Where Labor Value Is Not Respected Is Unreasonable and Irrational"

Mayor Park Won-soon of Seoul / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon expressed his sorrow over the case of the late security guard Choi Hee-seok, who suffered physical assault and verbal abuse from residents at an apartment complex in Ui-dong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, and ultimately took his own life, stating, "We all need to reflect and introspect."

On the 14th, Mayor Park wrote on his Facebook, "I visited the funeral hall yesterday. When I think of the deceased who suffered from residents' power abuse and made an extreme choice, I cannot help but feel heartbroken," adding, "Why did our society and community fail to prevent such a tragedy in advance? Why does this kind of power abuse keep recurring?"

He continued, "Apartment security guards, who take on all sorts of menial tasks, endure physically and mentally very demanding labor," emphasizing, "Those who work hard and under difficult conditions in places no one pays attention to are the most needed by society."

He further pointed out, "A society where the value of labor is not respected is irrational and unreasonable," and questioned, "In an era of $30,000 national income, can such archaic power abuse be allowed to run rampant?"

Mayor Park expressed, "I pray for the deceased's soul and offer my condolences to the bereaved family," and stressed, "I will actively seek what can be done to prevent such tragedies from recurring."

In front of the security booth of an apartment in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, where a security guard who made an extreme choice after conflicts with residents over parking issues was working, memorial messages from residents were posted on the 11th. / Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, Mr. Choi was found dead near his home on the 10th after leaving a note expressing feelings of injustice. On the 21st of last month, he had an argument with a resident in his 50s, Mr. A, over parking issues within the apartment complex, after which he was subjected to verbal abuse and physical assault by Mr. A.

The next day, on the 22nd, Mr. Choi filed a police complaint against Mr. A for assault and other charges. However, before the complainant's investigation could take place, Mr. Choi took his own life.

Mr. A, accused of the assault, reportedly denies the charges, claiming, "It is not true that I assaulted to the extent that his nasal bone was broken."

The police imposed a travel ban on Mr. A on the 11th and plan to summon him for questioning this week, after which they will consider whether to request an arrest warrant depending on necessity.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.