Korean gaming media reporter becomes a 'hero' against hate crime

▲ Caption reads: "hate crime hampered by citizens" (Source: TV Chosun)

 

On April 8th (local time), a homeless man in his 50s assaulted a bystanding woman at a subway station in Seoul, South Korea. He was arrested for aggravated assault charges against another man, who had tried to intervene.


The person who apprehended the assailant was later revealed to be Kyungbae Kwak, a managing editor at Daily Game. Kwak witnessed the homeless man assaulting a woman in her 30s at the entrance of Nakseongdae Station and tried to stop him by first asking him why he was attacking another a human being. Agitated by the remark, the attacker swung a weapon that was hidden in his arms, threatening Kwak by asking if he wants to die too. With the help of the citizens and students in the vicinity, the homeless person was taken down and taken into custody.


During this exchange, Kwak suffered a major injury with seven severed nerves as well as ruptured arteries and muscles. He was transferred to a nearby hospital and underwent a seven-hour surgery. Even after a full recovery, it was told that Kwak will be required to enter a two-year rehabilitation program. The Korean National Police is requesting an arrest warrant and is preparing to allege the attacker for an attempted murder.

 

 ▲ Click the 'CC' button on bottom of the video for English subtitles

 

In the interview with Inven KR, Kwak said: “I believe anyone can rise to the occasion when they see someone in danger.” He continued on to say that people who are into video games know how to do the right thing without a grand sense of justice and concluded the interview with a humble comment that he did what he could do as an ordinary citizen.“


Meanwhile, the public was baffled to find that, when it comes to helping those who were harmed during acts of selflessness, government assistance is close to nonexistent. Although there is a law to cover medical expenses incurred for people who intervene or apprehend a perpetrator of robbery, theft, assault, or kidnapping, the process is bound to take months before the person will actually receive compensation. That is why Kwak has to rely on his own funds for medical bills and has to apply for government assistance on his own.


For this occasion, NCsoft Cultural Foundation, which was founded by NCsoft, confirmed to Inven KR that it will pay the bill for all past and consequent medical expenses for Kwak. Personnel from the foundation visited Kwak at the hospital and realized that the situation was more serious that it first sounded, requiring continued rehabilitation programs and such. The foundation explained the reasoning behind the support by saying: "Since Kwak did something socially valuable, we decided it was the least we could do to not have him worry about medical expenses."

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