A Man in His 30s Found Dead After Two Days in Busan Detention Center, Hands and Feet Bound

Busan Prison. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Ju Cheol-in] A man in his 30s who was confined with his hands and feet tied at Busan Detention Center lost consciousness and collapsed, resulting in his death, prompting his family to file a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission.

According to Busan Detention Center and the bereaved family on the 22nd, Mr. A (37) collapsed inside the detention center on the morning of the 10th and was transferred to a hospital but passed away.

It is known that Mr. A was admitted to Busan Detention Center on the 8th after receiving a labor camp detention order for failing to pay a fine of 5 million won.

Busan Detention Center reportedly tied Mr. A’s hands and feet with restraints according to the Execution of Sentences Act after he exhibited abnormal behavior due to panic disorder.

Mr. A was then moved to a protected room equipped with CCTV, and two days after being detained, on the 10th, he was found unconscious and transferred to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Mr. A tested negative for COVID-19 in a test conducted after his death.

The family of Mr. A claims that the detainee, who was regularly taking medication for panic disorder, was kept alone in a solitary cell with his hands and feet tied, and that the detention center failed to take appropriate measures for two hours after he lost consciousness, leading to his death. They have filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission.