Protestor left unconscious by water canon files a suit

The family of a farmer knocked down by a water cannon blast from the police during an anti-government rally last year filed a compensation suit against authorities on Tuesday. 

Two daughters of Baek Nam-gi, 70, who still remains unconscious, demand a total of 240 million won ($207,800) from the state and police officials including the National Police Agency chief Kang Shin-myung and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency chief Goo Eun-soo, the Lawyers for a Democratic Society said. 

Jung Hyun-chan, head of emergency committee for the unconscious farmer, vowed to hold them accountable to prevent recurrence of such an event.

“It has been 130 days since Baek collapsed. There was no apology from police and the government. No one took responsibility,” he said in a press conference later in the day.

Baek collapsed after being hit by water cannon mixed with tear gas while attempting to bring down police bus barricades with ropes during the protest. The rally left hundreds of other participants and police officers injured.

While police claimed that it was a justifiable action to maintain public order, his collapse triggered widespread criticism over the government’s excessive use of force.

By Ock Hyun-ju (laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)