By Lee Kyung-min
Calls are growing for harsher punishment for those who physically and verbally abuse emergency workers under the influence of alcohol, Sunday. This follows the death of a 51-year-old emergency worker, surnamed Kang, who died a month after she was punched in the head five times by a drunk man surnamed Yoon, 47. Yoon also unleashed a tirade of misogynistic verbal attacks against her. Kang underwent surgery but died last Tuesday due to what doctors concluded was extreme stress-induced nerve damage brought on by the assault. Yoon is being investigated on charges of obstruction of justice.
Over 100 people have signed a petition on Cheong Wa Dae's website calling for the revision of the law that recognizes drunkenness as a mitigating circumstance and therefore grounds for leniency. Also on demand are measures for increased rights to self-defense and a more generous welfare package for first responders including firefighters and paramedics. “The law should change as soon as possible. Otherwise, incidents of this nature will continue to enrage the public,” one comment read. “Harsh punishment is the only way to change the behavior of those who try to excuse their criminal behavior by saying they were drunk. They do not deserve leniency.”
The death came amid reports of similar incidents over the past three years. According to the NFA, of 564 cases involving violence against rescue workers between 2015 and 2017, almost a third of them, or 183 people, were subject to a mere fine. A trial or investigation is ongoing for 134 and the remaining 147 were sentenced to prison.
The petition is in line with the fire authorities' efforts to grant workers more discretion over the use of force including using a taser gun. At the emergency task force meeting convened by the National Fire Agency (NFA) last Thursday, officials discussed pushing for a revision to the law to impose a life sentence on a perpetrator whose assault results in the death of a member of an emergency crew. Currently, those who assault or threaten emergency workers, thereby interfering with rescue efforts, are subject to a prison term of up to five years and a fine of up to 50 million won ($47,000).
Earlier, Interior Minister Kim Boo-kyum vowed stern enforcement of the law on those who assault public servants whose continued efforts to protect and serve the public go unnoticed. “I offer my deepest apology and regret over the death of Kang, who died in the line of duty as a result of a violent attack,” he said last Wednesday at the funeral of Kang in Iksan, North Jeolla Province. “Any act of this nature is in no way excused as it concerns the safety of the public. The related authorities will enforce existing laws rigorously.”
Meanwhile, voices have been growing for harsh punishment of those who engage in alcohol-related crimes following a 12-year prison term handed down to Cho Doo-soon who was convicted of raping an eight-year-old schoolgirl, which left her with permanent damage to multiple organs. In a ruling that drew public outrage in 2008, despite the severity of the crime, a judge recognized his claim that he was intoxicated at the time of the incident and therefore unable to make rational decisions.