Dead farmer activist's family to receive W60 mil. in compensation

By Kim Hyun-bin

The bereaved family members of farmer activist Baek Nam-ki will receive 60 million won ($52,700) in compensation from three police officers who were involved in the 65-year-old farmer's death which was a result of police water cannon operations.

The victim fell unconscious after being hit by a police water cannon during an anti-government rally in November 2015 and remained in a coma for over 10 months before he died of acute renal failure in September 2016.

According to police and the Seoul Central District Court, Monday, the three policemen _ Shin Yun-kyun, who was then-chief of the 4th Riot Squad, and two low-level officers who operated the water cannon _ agreed to settle and pay a total of 60 million won, or 15 million won to each of four bereaved family members.

The payment is in addition to the government's compensation of 490 million won which was settled in January.

On Nov. 14, 2015, Baek took part in an anti-government rally in Seoul, where a physical clash took place between protesters and police officers. He was trying to tie a rope to a police bus and police fired the water cannon that knocked him down and left him comatose.

In March 2016, Baek's family filed a compensation lawsuit for 240 million won against the state, former National Police Agency Commissioner General Kang Shin-myung, former Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Goo Eun-soo, and policemen involved in the water cannon operation.

After Baek's death, the family raised the claim to 700 million won.

In January, the lawsuit against the government, Kang and Goo was settled through mediation and the government gave 490 million won to the family, and Kang and Goo apologized to the family. However, Shin and two low-level officers objected to the mediation.

Baek's death stirred up a huge public uproar against excessive use of police force against protesters.

A probe found the riot police fired water cannons above the chest, which is against regulations. Baek was hit directly in the head by a high-pressure blast of water.