Assault Incident Among 2nd Year Middle School Classmates
Victim's Side Files Criminal Complaint
Jelly Taken from a Child Diabetic Student Showing Hypoglycemia Symptoms
"An Act Threatening Life in an Emergency Situation"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-gi] In November last year, an assault incident occurred among classmates at a middle school in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul. What seemed to have been settled with an apology from the perpetrator’s parents escalated into a school issue when the victim’s side requested the convening of the School Violence Countermeasure Committee. Dissatisfied with the committee’s decision, the perpetrator’s side demanded a retrial, and in response, the victim’s side filed a criminal complaint.
According to the Seoul Western Police Station on the 10th, this case has a unique aspect different from typical school violence. The perpetrator suffers from type 1 diabetes. There are criticisms that the school and students’ 'indifference' to type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, exacerbated the situation.
The perpetrator, Mr. A, has had type 1 diabetes since childhood, and when hypoglycemia symptoms appear, he must urgently consume sugar to prevent shock. Therefore, Mr. A always carries jelly with him. At the time of the assault, Mr. A was about to eat the jelly. When the victim, Mr. B, took the jelly as a prank, a startled Mr. A hit Mr. B. The police plan to summon Mr. A on the 17th of this month to investigate the circumstances related to this case.
However, it is also difficult to blame the victim, Mr. B, for not having accurate knowledge about type 1 diabetes, hypoglycemia, and the necessity of jelly consumption. Mr. B’s guardian argued, "Would a middle school student have fully understood such circumstances even if explained?" and added, "If it was such a serious matter, the school should have provided detailed prior explanations to the students."
The medical community expresses regret that a minor dispute among students escalated into a criminal case due to a lack of understanding about type 1 diabetes. According to the Korea Type 1 Diabetes Patient Association, about 2,500 youths under 18 years old suffer from type 1 diabetes like Mr. A. Last year, a similar case occurred at an elementary school in Seoul where a type 1 diabetic student was repeatedly bullied by having hypoglycemia snacks taken away, leading to the convening of a school violence committee.
In response, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and Welfare are striving to provide detailed information by creating a 'Guideline for Supporting Diabetic Students.' However, since this education is targeted at teachers, there are limitations in conveying this knowledge to students and parents. A middle school official stated, "Information about Mr. A’s condition is personal information and could not be disclosed without the consent of the parents or the student."
Type 1 diabetes, which accounts for about 2% of diabetic patients, usually develops at a young age and requires lifelong insulin administration. Since the body does not produce insulin, patients are prone to sudden hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. When hypoglycemia symptoms appear, consciousness can quickly become impaired, and in severe cases, it can lead to death. For this reason, type 1 diabetic patients carry snacks such as jelly or candy to prepare for emergencies. Professor Shin Hyun-young of Myongji University Hospital’s Department of Family Medicine pointed out, "Hypoglycemia symptoms in type 1 diabetic patients are emergency situations that can be fatal if neglected," and added, "Taking away snacks like candy that are used to supplement sugar in such emergencies is a dangerous act that can threaten the patient’s life."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
