During an Argument, Acquaintance's Eye Poked with Chopsticks Leading to Blindness... 70-Year-Old Sentenced to Prison

Incheon District Court Sentences to 2 Years and 6 Months Imprisonment
Victim Suffers Right Eye Vision Loss and Brain Hemorrhage

A man in his 70s who stabbed his opponent's eye with chopsticks during an argument at a drinking party, causing blindness, was sentenced to prison.

On the 8th, the 15th Criminal Division of the Incheon District Court (Chief Judge Ryu Hojung) sentenced Mr. A (73), who was indicted on charges of special injury, to 2 years and 6 months in prison, according to Yonhap News on the same day. Mr. A was brought to trial on charges of stabbing his acquaintance Mr. B (70), whom he had known for some time, in the eye with chopsticks at a restaurant in Michuhol-gu, Incheon, around 2:20 p.m. on January 25.

According to the investigation, Mr. A was drinking with Mr. B when Mr. B spoke ill of Mr. A’s acquaintance, leading to an argument. Unable to control his anger, Mr. A committed the crime. Mr. B completely lost vision in his right eye, which was stabbed by the chopsticks, and was diagnosed with an 8-week recovery period at the hospital due to brain hemorrhage caused by the chopsticks penetrating the eye socket. It is known that Mr. A has a history of multiple criminal punishments for violent incidents since 2000.

Mr. A submitted a settlement agreement to the court after paying medical expenses and consolation money to Mr. B, but the court ruled based on Mr. B’s position that "the victim wants the defendant to be punished." The first trial court explained, "The defendant stabbed the victim’s eye with a metal chopstick, causing blindness in one eye," and added, "The chopstick penetrated the eye socket, causing brain hemorrhage." The court further pointed out, "It can only be seen that the defendant acted with the intent to inflict serious injury on the victim." Regarding the sentencing, the court explained, "The victim, who lost sight, is still suffering from aftereffects and expressing pain," but also considered "the defendant’s acknowledgment of wrongdoing and remorse, the fact that the crime was committed impulsively during an argument, and efforts to restore the damage."