[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] "My teenage son, who is about to enter middle school, became quadriplegic while receiving breakfall training at a Taekwondo gym."
On the 10th, a heartfelt plea was posted on the Blue House National Petition board demanding the strict punishment of the Taekwondo master who is evading responsibility for the incident involving the petitioner’s young son who became quadriplegic.
The petitioner, Mr. A, claimed that his son has been bedridden in a quadriplegic state for over a year after being diagnosed with fractures of the first and fifth cervical vertebrae due to an accident during breakfall training at a Taekwondo gym on February 20th last year.
Mr. A said, "My child, who had just graduated from elementary school, has now become a pitiful child who cannot sit alone, eat, or control his bladder and bowels without his mother," adding, "We endure each day with desperate hope, but there has been no significant improvement."
He further pointed out, "The Taekwondo master made the child perform a spinning breakfall over his own body while bending forward," and criticized, "This cannot be considered the attitude of an educator responsible for the safety of trainees."
He also claimed that the Taekwondo master showed an irresponsible attitude after the accident. According to Mr. A, the master initially visited his home and said, "I will not avoid the responsibility of a teacher and will take responsibility and help my student, whom I have taught for a long time like my own child." Trusting these words, Mr. A did not want punishment at that time, worried about the damage that might befall his child and the master's family.
On the 10th, a post titled "Request for Strong Punishment of the Taekwondo Director Who Is Avoiding Responsibility for the Injustice Suffered by My Young Son Who Became Quadriplegic" was uploaded on the Blue House National Petition Board. [Photo by Blue House National Petition Board Capture]
However, the Taekwondo master’s attitude changed shortly after. Mr. A said, "The master prioritized their own difficulties and even refused to file a claim with the insurance the gym was enrolled in, showing an attitude of evading responsibility."
Mr. A requested punishment, claiming the master was avoiding responsibility, but the case was eventually closed by the prosecution with no charges. He explained that since there was no CCTV installed in the gym, the investigation had to rely on the testimonies of the children who were present at the time of the accident.
He said, "The investigation proceeded relying solely on the testimonies of my son and a child just one year younger," and urged for the punishment of the instructor who neglects responsibility for serious injuries at the Taekwondo gym and for the mandatory installation of CCTV.
He continued, "I am in a state of despair and frustration, burdened by the fact that the victim must prove everything," and lamented, "There is a victim but no perpetrator?this absurd situation is overwhelming. The master continues to evade responsibility even after the non-prosecution decision. There has been no contact or visits," and appealed, "I feel wronged about who should be held accountable and provide compensation for the future of my child, who must live with a lifelong disability."
Mr. A explained the reason for posting the petition, saying, "My child will have to live a lifetime without a normal daily life, but I want to establish a foundation so that all children in the Republic of Korea can safely use sports facilities."
As of the 12th, the petition has received about 3,900 supporters.
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