Police Officer Assaulted by Drunk Person 7 Years Ago "Over 100 Million Won Medical Expenses Paid Out of Pocket"

Treatment national support fund is only 50 million won
Assailant is a large company executive... fined only
Compensation received through civil lawsuit reclaimed due to double compensation prohibition

A police officer who was permanently disabled in his shoulder after being assaulted by a drunk person 7 years ago shared his heartbreaking story of having to bear the huge medical expenses out of his own pocket while juggling work and treatment.

Choi Ji-hyun (35), a 10-year veteran police officer affiliated with the Incheon Jungbu Police Station, appeared on the YouTube channel 'Caracula Detective Agency' on the 27th to reveal the unjust incident he experienced.

Detective Sergeant Choi Ji-hyun, who spent 120 million won on medical expenses after being assaulted by a drunk person 7 years ago [Image source: Screenshot from YouTube channel 'Karacula Detective Agency']

At the beginning of the video, he said, "The reason I am standing in front of the camera is because it has become so difficult that it is impossible to continue my mission as a police officer protecting the lives and property of the people. I earnestly appeal for help as a citizen before being a police officer regarding the pain I am enduring."

According to the video, on February 21, 2017, shortly after midnight, Officer Choi was on night duty at a police substation in Incheon when he responded to a 112 call reporting "a drunk person sexually harassing a citizen."

At the time, the perpetrator pretended to cooperate briefly when the police tried to persuade him to stop his rampage but suddenly turned violent and started an indiscriminate assault. Officer Choi, caught off guard, suffered a torn cartilage in his right shoulder, and a fellow officer sustained a split lip. After arresting the perpetrator who caused the disturbance for over two hours, he was prosecuted for obstruction of official duties and assault, but the case ended with only a fine.

Officer Choi said, "My life of suffering began from that moment," adding, "The perpetrator showed remorse during the trial, promising to compensate for medical expenses, but changed his stance after the trial ended." According to Officer Choi, despite the perpetrator being a financially well-off executive at a large corporation, he has not paid a single penny for medical expenses over the past 7 years.

After two shoulder surgeries, Officer Choi was diagnosed with permanent disability and has suffered severe aftereffects, continuing to balance work with painful ongoing treatment to this day.

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Support System for Injured Police Officers Does Not Reflect Reality

He raised his voice that what made things hardest for him was the unrealistic support system for injured police officers that blames the officers injured in the line of duty for all the responsibility.

Officer Choi has spent over 120 million KRW on medical expenses so far. However, the amount supported by the government was only 50 million KRW, and the rest of the medical costs were covered out of his own pocket. He also filed a civil lawsuit against the perpetrator, spending legal fees, and won a partial victory in the first trial, receiving 45 million KRW. However, before he could feel relieved, he was notified that due to the "prohibition of double compensation" clause, the 50 million KRW previously supported by the government would be fully reclaimed after the trial.

Regarding this, Officer Choi said, "I am not trying to obtain financial compensation from the citizens. I just want to receive at least the medical expenses incurred due to injuries sustained while performing my rightful duties," lamenting, "Under the current system, injured police officers cannot receive full coverage of medical expenses from either the government or the perpetrator." He added, "Even now, I spend a significant amount of my monthly salary on medical expenses. All legal costs incurred from lawsuits against the government and the perpetrator are also paid out of my own pocket."

In conclusion, he earnestly requested, "Please create an environment where my colleagues and I can be guaranteed treatment even if we get injured in dangerous security situations," and appealed, "Dear citizens, please help me return to the field."

The Caracula Detective Agency, which posted this video, questioned, "How can police officers be expected to protect the lives and property of the people when their human rights are worse than those of criminals?" and asked viewers to "share this video across various communities."