Teen suffers brain hemorrhage after police stop sparks excessive force debate

A teenager suffered a traumatic brain injury during a police crackdown on electric scooter violations in the western port city of Incheon, prompting a public debate over whether officers used excessive force.

According to Incheon Samsan Police on Sunday, the incident occurred around 2:45 p.m. on Friday in the city’s Bupyeong District.

Two teens, both riding a single electric scooter without helmets or licenses, fell during an encounter with police officers. The fall occurred when a patrol officer approached them at a crosswalk and attempted to grab one of their arms.

One of the teens, identified only as A, who was riding on the back of the scooter, exhibited seizures and convulsions immediately after the fall and was rushed to the emergency room.

A was diagnosed with traumatic brain hemorrhage and remained hospitalized for 10 days before being discharged on Tuesday.

Police said they attempted to stop the scooter because the situation posed a safety risk. "It was a dangerous moment, so we intervened. We’re deeply sorry the teen was injured," a police spokesperson said.

Authorities also offered to cover medical costs through public officials’ liability insurance, but the teen’s parents declined the offer.

A’s parents say their son was injured due to what they call an excessive and sudden intervention by the officer, and have filed a criminal complaint for professional negligence along with plans to pursue a civil damages lawsuit.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.