Police officers accept responsibility for death of protestor Baek Nam-gi

Posted on : 2017-09-27 18:11 KST Modified on : 2017-09-27 18:11 KST
The farmer was fatally struck by a blast from a water cannon during the candlelight demonstrations
After being criticized for its response to the massive street protests during the final days of the Park Geun-hye administration
After being criticized for its response to the massive street protests during the final days of the Park Geun-hye administration

The police officers who were operating the water cannon truck that fatally injured the late farmer Baek Nam-gi have submitted a letter to the court apologizing to Baek’s bereaved family and promising to accept all their demands. Baek’s family has sued the government and the police for damages in connection with Baek’s death. Baek was knocked unconsciousness by the blast from the water cannon and died later at the hospital from his injuries.

On Sept. 26, two police officers surnamed Han and Choi, who were operating the water cannon car, submitted a “document of recognition and acceptance of demands” to the 24th civil division at the Seoul Central District Court presided by Hon. Kim Han-seong. This is a legal document submitted to the court by a defendant to show their willingness to accept all the plaintiff’s demands.

“Thinking of the agony that the death of the deceased must have caused his family members, it’s painful for us to keep breathing day after day, and we’re unsure how to convey our feelings of guilt. We want to seek their sincere forgiveness. We apologize,” the officers wrote in their letter.

The officers also expressed frustration with the police agency. “After the accident, we wanted to visit the deceased’s family members and ask for their forgiveness, but we didn’t have the courage to act against the will of the police. We have made this difficult decision regardless of the wishes of the Korean National Police Agency because we know full well that what we have suffered since the accident is incomparable to what the bereaved family has undergone,” they said.

Last year, Baek’s family filed a damages law suit against five police officers, including the two operating the water cannon car, former National Police Agency Commissioner Kang Shin-myung and former Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Chief Goo Eun-su. While the subordinate officers have expressed feelings of responsibility for Baek’s family, the former police leadership, including Kang and Goo, are reportedly still refusing to take responsibility.

“Considering that the low-level officers who were operating the water cannon truck feel responsible and have apologized, it’s a shame that the former police leadership who were in command and gave the orders are still refusing to take responsibility. We will keep using civil and criminal lawsuits to hold them responsible,” said a member of Baek’s legal team in a telephone interview with the Hankyoreh.

By Heo Jae-hyun, staff reporter

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