Soldier dies after being hit in eye with umbrella

A soldier on leave died after being hit in the eye with an umbrella.

The 20-year-old private in the Navy, identified as Kim, was having a drink with friends in front of a convenience store in Busan at around 6 a.m. last Sunday.

An argument and scuffle broke out with a passerby, surnamed Park. The group said the man was staring and incited them, according to Geumjeong Police, Wednesday.

During the brawl, one of the soldier’s friends, also surnamed Kim, threw his umbrella at Park but it hit the soldier in the eye. He suffered serious injuries to his right eyeball and brain. The soldier was hospitalized and in a coma, but died around 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Police will conduct an autopsy to find the exact cause of death. They also plan to seek an arrest warrant for Kim’s friend on charges of accidental homicide.