Liquid sprayed on Pohang city officials was 'Hydrochloric Acid'

Civil servant victim suffers severe burns on eyes and other areas, requiring 6 months of treatment

It has been revealed that the liquid used in the recent 'bottled water attack' targeting Pohang City Hall officials was hydrochloric acid.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] It has been confirmed that the substance a citizen sprayed on a public official at Pohang City Hall in Gyeongbuk was hydrochloric acid.

The Pohang Southern Police Station in Gyeongbuk announced on the 3rd that they sent the liquid sprayed by a man in his 60s, Mr. A, on public official Mr. B at Pohang City Hall to the National Forensic Service for analysis and received confirmation that it was hydrochloric acid.

The concentration was found to be relatively low. Hydrochloric acid is a corrosive substance that can damage human tissues such as the respiratory system, eyes, and skin. Mr. A told the police that he "purchased the hydrochloric acid somewhere in the city."

Earlier, on the morning of the 29th of last month, Mr. A, dissatisfied with the reduction of private taxis in Pohang City, broke into the Public Transportation Division office on the 7th floor of Pohang City Hall and sprayed the liquid contained in a 500ml bottled water on the head of the division chief, Mr. B. Mr. A was identified as a private taxi license dealer.

Mr. B was sprayed with the liquid on his eyes and face, complained of pain, and collapsed. Immediately after the incident, he was moved to the restroom by his colleagues and washed his entire body with water, but he continued to complain of pain in his eyes and the area around them. He was then transported by the 119 emergency medical team to the nearby St. Mary's Hospital and later transferred to an ophthalmology specialist hospital in Seoul.

Mr. B sustained burns to his eyes and is receiving treatment at the hospital. A city official said, "Mr. B has not gone blind, but he suffered quite severe burns and requires about six months of treatment."

The police arrested Mr. A on the 31st of last month on charges of special obstruction of official duties causing injury.

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