Public Official Demanding Mask Wearing Attacked Again in Busan

Busanjungbu Police Station Investigating Civil Complaints Officer for Obstruction of Official Duties

Busan Jungbu Police Station.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] An incident occurred in Busan where a social welfare public official was assaulted after requesting a civil petitioner to wear a mask, prompting the police to launch an investigation.

According to the Busan Jungbu Police Station on the 24th, around 9 a.m. on the 18th, a man in his 40s, Mr. A, who visited the Bupyeong-dong Community Service Center in Jung-gu, Busan, to obtain a recipient certificate, was asked twice by public official Mr. B (male, in his 40s) to wear a mask because he was not wearing one.

Mr. A suddenly entered the office workspace and assaulted Mr. B by hitting his head and chest areas and threw a fan, causing a disturbance.

The police responded to a 112 emergency call, arrived at the scene, and have booked Mr. A without detention on charges of obstructing official duties and are conducting an investigation.

At the time, four staff members, including Mr. B, were working at the Bupyeong-dong Community Service Center due to the vacation season.

As incidents of social workers being helplessly assaulted by civil petitioners during work have repeatedly occurred, social welfare officials are urging Busan City to establish a psychological support center and prepare countermeasures.

A community center official stated, “The incident happened so quickly that we could not respond. The employee involved has suffered not only physical injuries but also significant psychological shock and is currently on sick leave,” adding, “After the police investigation results are released, we plan to decide on countermeasures and responses with Busan City and others.”

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