A parking attendant at a credit union facility in Chuncheon suffered injuries during a dispute but secured financial compensation through the efforts of the Korea Legal Aid Corporation, despite discouragement from a branch manager.
Details of the Assault
In October 2023, the attendant, identified as Mr. A, clashed with driver Mr. B over parking fees at the credit union’s payment booth. Mr. B demanded a disability discount without presenting a required card, leading to an argument. Mr. B then swung an iron cane from his vehicle, injuring Mr. A with wounds requiring two weeks of treatment. Mr. A covered approximately 1.55 million won in medical costs.
Mr. B later faced a summary indictment for intimidation, resulting in a 500,000 won fine.
Manager’s Discouraging Texts
Even after the incident, Mr. A endured ongoing pain and anxiety while handling similar fee requests. The branch manager sent messages urging him to abandon any lawsuit, noting that the damage was minor, Mr. B had no personal ties, and victims often lacked resolve. “The perpetrator won’t even know your identity, and the mentality is too weak to pursue,” the manager wrote, suggesting it was not worth the effort.
Legal Aid Intervention and Victory
The Korea Legal Aid Corporation reviewed criminal records to identify Mr. B and filed a damages lawsuit on Mr. A’s behalf, seeking 11.5 million won for medical expenses and emotional distress. Following audits and forensic analysis of loan reviews and incident reports, the Chuncheon District Court issued a warrant in December 2025 directing Mr. B to pay Mr. A 5 million won. Mr. B was to remit 10 million won monthly until May 2026 but failed to comply, prompting seizure of overdue amounts and interest.
Official Insights on Such Cases
Jeong Hye-jin, a compensation specialist at the corporation, stated, “Criminals frequently exploit victims’ perceived weakness by assuming they won’t recognize identities or press charges, exposing flaws in the system.” She added, “Even with rigorous verification through our legal department, perpetrators face minimal extra penalties, perpetuating societal harm.”
