Convenience Store Owner Who Beat Drunken Attacker Wielding a Weapon Recognized for Self-Defense, Prosecutors Decide "No Prosecution"

A convenience store owner who assaulted a drunken person wielding a weapon was recognized for self-defense by the prosecution and was not indicted.

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On the 31st, the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office decided not to indict Mr. A (31), who was under investigation for injury charges, stating it was "self-defense." Drunken person Mr. B (76) was referred to trial on charges of special injury.

Earlier, Mr. A, who operates a convenience store in Dong-gu, Daejeon, found Mr. B and Mr. C (75) and their group sleeping drunk at an outdoor table in front of the convenience store around 7:20 p.m. on May 24. Mr. A said, "Please move from here," but as they did not leave, an argument ensued. Mr. C threw a plastic chair, and Mr. B brought scissors from nearby and stabbed Mr. A in the abdomen. In response, Mr. A pulled Mr. C’s hand, causing him to fall and get injured, then kicked Mr. B to knock him down, stepped on his body, and took the scissors away.

However, the police sent both the drunken individuals and the convenience store owner to the prosecution with a recommendation for indictment. The prosecution decided not to indict Mr. A for injury to Mr. B, considering it "not a crime," and issued a suspension of prosecution for injury to Mr. C. The prosecution judged that self-defense was established, considering that Mr. A appeared to step on the chest to subdue Mr. B and that no further acts were committed after taking the scissors.

A prosecution official said, "This act was carried out to counter unjust physical intrusion and meets the requirements for self-defense," adding, "In the future, even in cases of mutual violence, acts to inevitably defend one’s body against preemptive violence will be judged for self-defense status through opinion gathering via the Prosecutors' Citizen Committee and others."