"Neighbors Who Even Gave Gifts: 70-Year-Old Man Dies After Being Hit by a Middle Schooler"

Gifted to a Neighbor of 7 Years, Ended Up in Trouble

A video showing a middle school student assaulting a man in his 70s, leading to the man's death, has been released, causing shock.

A third-year middle school student assaulted a man in his 70s, resulting in his death. [Image source=JTBC 'Sageonbanjang']

On the 25th, JTBC's 'Sageon Banjang' reported that at around 5:40 p.m. on the 13th, a 16-year-old boy in the third year of middle school assaulted a man in his 70s in Hyeongyeong-myeon, Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do, resulting in the man's death. The informant, Mr. A, said that his parents had moved to this area seven years ago and had maintained a close relationship with their neighbors. However, recently, Mr. B, A's father, gave side dish bowls and a frying pan as gifts to the neighboring family, but for some reason, the gifts were returned. Mr. B then brought the gifts back again, telling them to use them, but feeling hurt, he said, "If you're not going to use them, just give them back."

Because of this incident, Mr. B was involved in a dispute with the mother and daughter of the neighboring household. At that time, the neighbor's grandson, who had been lurking around the adults, appeared wearing work gloves and punched Mr. B twice. Mr. B collapsed weakly, and the grandson threw the gloves on the ground and left the scene. Mr. B, who suffered a skull fracture from the assault, died of a cerebral hemorrhage on the 17th.

Mr. A explained, "Because I have known that boy since elementary school, the shock is even greater," and added, "I obtained the death certificate and reported it to the police." He also expressed anger, saying, "The mother and daughter of the neighboring household and that grandson have never apologized until now," and "In fact, the grandson reportedly said, 'You just have to live a few years and then it's over.'"

Attorney Park Ji-hoon, who heard this story, said, "There is a possibility of applying a murder charge, but it seems more likely to be involuntary manslaughter due to assault," and explained, "Since he is not a juvenile offender exempt from prosecution, it is expected that he will face criminal punishment rather than just protective measures."

Netizens who saw this reacted with comments such as, "Even if a minor, murder charges should be strictly enforced," "How was he raised at home?" "Coming with work gloves to assault is premeditated murder," "The age limit for juvenile offenders should be lowered," "They don't even apologize, what kind of shame is that?" and "Both the perpetrator and the perpetrator's guardians should be punished."