On the 25th, a passenger car collided with a bicycle ridden by an elementary school student in a school zone near an elementary school in Dongcheon-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongbuk. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] On the 26th, Han Moon-chul, a traffic accident specialist lawyer, predicted that the Min-sik Act is highly likely to be applied in an accident where a woman driving a passenger car hit an elementary school student riding a bicycle in a child protection zone (school zone) in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk.
On the same day, through his YouTube channel 'Han Moon-chul TV,' Lawyer Han explained regarding the accident, "Attempted murder does not seem applicable," adding, "There is such a thing as random murder, but to kill someone, there must be a reasonable cause to do so. (In this accident) there is no reasonable cause."
The Gyeongju Police Department announced on the 26th that at around 1:40 p.m. on the 25th, an SUV vehicle hit a bicycle while turning a corner on a road near an elementary school in Dongcheon-dong. As a result of this accident, A (9), an elementary school student riding the bicycle, injured his right leg and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital.
A’s family claims that the perpetrator caused the accident intentionally. According to police investigation, A’s parents stated, "The perpetrator’s daughter B (5) and A were playing at a nearby playground, and after A hit B and left without apologizing, the perpetrator seemed to have deliberately chased and caused the accident." The driver of the vehicle at the time of the accident is known to be B’s mother (30 years old).
A’s older sister posted the accident video on her Instagram, saying, "My younger sibling, who is in the lower grades of elementary school, had a scuffle with another child, and that child’s mother chased my sibling, who was riding a bicycle, crossing the center line and deliberately hit him."
She continued, "It was intentional, and the accident occurred in a school zone. My sibling is hospitalized," adding, "Details are still being confirmed, but deliberately chasing a child riding a bicycle with a car and hitting them is unimaginable for a human being."
Regarding this, Lawyer Han said, "If it is acknowledged that (the driver) followed with the intention to push the child, intent can be recognized, and it would be a special injury," but added, "If the driver just pushed without turning the steering wheel, it might be different, but in this situation, attempted murder does not seem applicable."
He also judged that the intentionality of the accident is not high. Lawyer Han said, "It looks like the driver turned the steering wheel abruptly. From what I see, it seems they tried to stop as quickly as possible," and added, "It does not appear to be intentional."
He then predicted that this case would be handled as special injury or under the Min-sik Act. Lawyer Han explained, "If special injury is recognized, the punishment will be heavier, so whether they reach an agreement or not will be important. If it goes under the Min-sik Act, it is expected to be decided as a fine."
He added, "(After the accident, when the driver came out) the child bowed their head saying 'I'm sorry' to the driver," and said, "All overall matters, including why the child showed such a reaction initially, need to be thoroughly investigated."
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