Assault, Pouring Cold Water, and Tape Restraint as Forms of Abuse
[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] It has been investigated that the victim of the real estate sales dormitory fall incident in Hwagok-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, fell from the 7th floor while trying to escape after enduring harsh treatment.
The Gangseo Police Station in Seoul announced on the 20th that, in addition to the four suspects including the sales team leader Park (28), who was sent to prosecution in custody the day before, three more people who were staying in the same dormitory were additionally booked and arrest warrants were requested.
According to the police, they are accused of causing serious injury by making Kim (21), who was staying together on the 7th floor of the villa, jump off at 10:08 a.m. on the 9th (special injury by confinement, etc.).
Among them, Deputy Manager Yoo (30), who was sent to prosecution in custody, was found not to have lived in the dormitory but was partially involved in the arrest and confinement, and was charged with special confinement and aiding special confinement.
The victim Kim came to this dormitory after seeing posts such as "Runaways provided with food and lodging" posted on social networking services (SNS) by Won (22), the spouse of Team Leader Park, in September last year, and escaped about two weeks later.
However, at 12:27 a.m. on the 4th of this month, he was caught by the gang in front of a motel in Myeonmok-dong, Jungnang-gu, and returned to the dormitory, after which he was subjected to harsh treatment such as having his head shaved and cold water punishment.
He then tried to escape again on the 7th, but was caught again around 2 a.m. on the 9th in the Suwon Station waiting room, and was subjected to harsh treatment including being beaten with a wooden sword, fists, and feet, and being tied up with tape.
The police believe that Kim fell while trying to escape by climbing over the veranda to the outside roof on the day of the fall.
On the 15th, the police obtained a search warrant for the villa and secured items used for harsh treatment at the scene, including a wooden sword, an electric pet hair clipper, tape packaging, and a rubber hose.
Kim, who fell from the 7th floor and was in critical condition, has recently improved and was moved to a general ward. He showed trauma symptoms of extreme fear of the suspects but is now known to be able to give light testimony.
A police official said, "The events between September last year and January have not been confirmed, so charges were applied only for the period when the arrest and confinement charges could be clearly proven," adding, "We are currently investigating the events that occurred since September last year."
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