Homeless man freezes to death

By Park Si-soo

A homeless man was found dead inside a tent under a bridge in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, on Friday, police said.

A resident out walking found the body about 11 a.m. The man is believed to have died of exposure to the cold, police said. South Korea has experienced a raging cold snap in recent days, which sent temperatures plunging in most parts of the country, including Cheongju, to below minus 10 degrees Celsius.

“I saw the tent while out walking,” the witness told police. “Its door was left slightly open through which I could see a man lying inside.”

Police said they found no signs of foul play. Witnesses said the tent had been there for days.

Police reportedly found a certificate showing the man was a recipient of the basic state subsidy.