[Exclusive] Video of Student Assaulting Peer at Apartment Playground Shared on SNS... Citizens Outraged

Suspected Middle School Perpetrator Caught on Video
Footage Set to Private at Victim's Request
Police: "Identity Confirmed... Investigation Underway"

A video showing a student, believed to be a minor, assaulting a peer at an apartment playground in Gwangju has been made public, sparking outrage among citizens. The police have received a report regarding the incident and have identified the individual in the video who is alleged to be the perpetrator.

Gwangsan Police Station in Gwangju.

According to an investigation by Asia Economy on July 18, the video in question was filmed at around 5:10 p.m. on July 15 at a playground in an apartment complex in Wolgye-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju. The footage shows a student, presumed to be a middle schooler, repeatedly punching and kicking a peer, while the victim is seen being struck without offering much resistance. The students in the video are reportedly enrolled at a middle school in the vicinity of Gwangsan-gu.

The person who witnessed the scene and filmed the video told this outlet, "I saw the assault and recorded it on my mobile phone," and added, "The next day, I reported it to the Gwangsan Police Station and submitted the footage." The witness also requested careful reporting, saying, "I hope the victim does not get hurt again."

The video was shared by the witness through an acquaintance's social media account and was quickly disseminated, especially within local online communities. As of the previous day, the cumulative number of views had surpassed 700,000. Comments included reactions such as, "We need to report this and put an end to school violence," "Even as an adult, this is heartbreaking," and "The Juvenile Act should be abolished."

The video is currently set to private. The community administrator stated, "The victim's parents were very upset and said they would do everything they could," and added, "They requested the video be taken down out of consideration for the child's school life."

An official from Gwangsan Police Station said, "The incident was reported, and we have reviewed the footage and identified the student in the video as the alleged perpetrator. The student is a minor and will be summoned for questioning along with their guardian."