"Why Hit?" vs "Just Scolding"... Bicycle Collision Escalates into Assault Dispute

Bicycle Collision Accident in Daejeon
Former Principal Slaps Middle School Student After Accident
"I am the Victim... Told Him to Ride Properly"

After a collision accident involving a middle school student and a bicycle occurred, a man who assaulted the student by slapping him and telling him to ride the bicycle properly was reported for child abuse. The man, known to be a former principal, reportedly explained that he was "disciplining the child as an educator." On the 26th, JTBC's 'Case Judge' shared the story of a bicycle collision accident that happened under a riverside bridge in Daejeon on September 26.

The informant, Mr. A, explained the situation: "My son, a first-year middle school student, went out to ride bicycles with a friend after finishing his academy. While following his friend riding a bicycle, they collided head-on with a bicycle coming from the opposite direction and fell sideways because neither could avoid the other." CCTV footage at the time shows Mr. B, a man in his 70s riding the opposing bicycle, pushing Mr. A's son after he got up, and then the two became entangled.

Mr. A claimed, "My son was hit repeatedly. (Mr. B) grabbed his collar and dragged him. My son contacted me after the accident, and until I arrived at the scene, Mr. B was saying something to my son." Mr. B expressed his grievance, saying, "I was going properly, but the child came unilaterally and hit me," claiming he was also injured. However, a witness to the accident stated, "Mr. B collided with the bicycle while trying to overtake me on the center line," and added, "If we were to assign fault, it would be 50-50. Mr. B slapped the child hard enough to stagger him, grabbed his collar, dragged him, and cursed at him."

After the witness reported the incident, the police arrived, and Mr. B reportedly explained to the police, "I disciplined the child because I am an educator." In response, Mr. A questioned, "Aren't you ashamed to call yourself an educator? How can assault be considered discipline?"

Whistleblower Mr. A is expressing his frustration in a broadcast interview. JTBC 'Sageon Banjang' broadcast screen

One week after the accident, Mr. B contacted Mr. A, saying, "I couldn't contact you immediately because I had a scheduled overseas trip," and added, "I hope we can resolve this issue wisely through dialogue after clearing up misunderstandings and anger." He continued, "I hit (your son) because I was very hurt and shocked by the bicycle accident," and said, "If you provide your home address, I want to visit your son to comfort and apologize. I want to compensate for the damage with a settlement amount of 3 million won as a token of my sincere apology."

However, Mr. A reportedly reported Mr. B for child abuse, saying, "There was no sincerity, and I did not feel any remorse." Regarding this, Mr. B admitted to the assault but stated, "I am the victim in the accident itself." He emphasized, "The child suddenly changed direction and collided with me, and I was seriously injured in the chest and abdomen. I only lightly slapped him with my palm and just disciplined him by saying, 'Ride your bicycle properly.'" He added, "I requested the CCTV footage from the Road Traffic Authority," and said, "I will settle after the fault is clearly determined."