Attempted Suicide After Group Beating During Military Service... Court Orders State to Pay 1.8 Billion Won Compensation

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] A court has ruled that the state must compensate over 1.8 billion won to a victim who suffered brain damage after being subjected to group assault by senior soldiers during military service and attempting an extreme act.

According to the court on the 11th, the Seoul Central District Court Civil Division 46 (Presiding Judge Lee Won-seok) ruled partially in favor of the plaintiff, A, in a damages lawsuit against the state, ordering "the defendant to pay the plaintiff approximately 1.88 billion won and delayed damages (interest)."

The government denied responsibility, stating, "Public officials did their best to prevent the assault, so there was no intent or negligence," but the court judged that state liability was established, stating, "It can be acknowledged that commanders did not actively grasp the situation or take appropriate measures."

A enlisted in May 2009 and suffered frequent assaults and verbal abuse from senior soldiers, eventually attempting an extreme act in July of the same year. A was diagnosed with anoxic brain injury and has been receiving medical treatment to this day, recognized as having sustained a service-related disability. His discharge has been postponed.

Investigations revealed that senior soldiers frequently assaulted A for reasons such as laughing during roll call. After a dispute with one senior soldier, the harassment worsened, and the day before A's extreme act attempt, he was group beaten by four seniors for allegedly "causing insubordination."

As a result of this case, five senior soldiers were prosecuted and received confirmed fines of up to 7 million won each. One senior received a suspended sentence with a fine of 300,000 won.

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