[26.06.14] Seven Students Investigated Over Assault on Disabled Peer

Seven Middle School Students Investigated After Two-Hour Assault on Peer With Intellectual Disability in Cheonan

📍Allegations include cigarette burns, illegal filming, and forced consumption of a snail, intensifying calls for a thorough investigation and stronger measures against juvenile violence.

A disturbing case involving the prolonged assault of a middle school student with an intellectual disability by seven peers has sparked public outrage in South Korea. According to police, the suspects allegedly subjected the victim to more than two hours of violence across multiple locations in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province. The case has drawn further attention following allegations of illegal filming, cigarette burns, and forced consumption of a snail, raising broader concerns over school violence and the handling of serious juvenile offenses.

🔹Student With Intellectual Disability Assaulted for More Than Two Hours by Peers

South Chungcheong Provincial Police announced on June 14 that they are investigating seven middle school students, including a student identified only as A, on charges including violations of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes.

The suspects are accused of assaulting a third-year middle school student with an intellectual disability for approximately two hours in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province.

CCTV footage released by MBC showed several male and female students surrounding the victim, knocking the student to the ground, pulling the victim by the hair, and dragging the victim around. The footage also allegedly captured some of the students sitting on top of the victim and striking the victim in the face.

The victim was reportedly subjected to prolonged violence without being able to effectively resist. The fact that both male and female students allegedly participated in the assault has further intensified public shock.

🔹Assault Continued Across Multiple Locations, Including a Rooftop

According to police and the victim's family, the assault began at an outdoor shelter and continued as the group moved the victim to several locations, including a nearby building's parking area and rooftop.

The suspects allegedly burned the victim's body with lit cigarettes and recorded portions of the assault. Police are also investigating whether the recorded footage was distributed to others.

A witness at the scene described the incident, saying, "I heard repeated slapping sounds, and the child fell down the embankment. They would tell the child to climb back up, only to push the child down again."

The group reportedly continued the assault in less populated areas before fleeing the scene after noticing police officers responding to an emergency report.

Concerns have been raised over the severe physical and psychological trauma the victim may have suffered during the more than two-hour ordeal.

🔹Allegations of Illegal Filming and Forced Consumption of a Snail

The victim's parents also alleged that the students forced the victim to remove undergarments and illegally filmed the incident.

According to the parents, "They forcibly made the child undress, pulled down the underwear, and recorded video footage for one to two minutes. They also forced the child's mouth open and made the child eat a snail."

The victim is said to have later recounted the incident to family members while showing signs of extreme anxiety and emotional distress.

The family further suggested that the assault may have been retaliatory in nature.

The victim's parents stated, "We had previously reported one of the students involved for school violence, and we suspect this attack may have been an act of retaliation."

However, authorities emphasized that claims regarding retaliation and illegal filming will need to be verified through the ongoing investigation.

🔹Two Suspects Classified as Juveniles Below the Age of Criminal Responsibility

Police are continuing to investigate the exact circumstances surrounding the incident involving the seven students.

Among the suspects, two reportedly fall under South Korea's category of juveniles below the age of criminal responsibility. Rather than facing criminal prosecution, such individuals are generally referred to the juvenile division of the court system.

Investigators are reviewing statements from the victim and family members, CCTV footage, and conducting digital forensic examinations of mobile devices to determine whether additional offenses may have occurred.

Authorities are also expected to examine whether illegal recordings were actually made and distributed, as well as whether additional charges, including sexual offense-related violations, may be applicable.

🔹Renewed Debate Over Juvenile Violence and Accountability

The case has sparked widespread public outrage, as allegations involve the prolonged assault of a student with an intellectual disability, along with claims of illegal filming and other abusive acts.

Online discussions have increasingly focused on calls to strengthen responses to serious juvenile crimes and reconsider existing policies regarding young offenders.

Experts argue that, beyond punishment after the fact, earlier intervention by schools, families, and local communities is essential to preventing similar incidents from occurring in the future.

Police stated that protecting the victim remains a top priority as they continue efforts to establish the full extent of the incident and determine appropriate legal action.

One-line summary : Seven middle school students are under police investigation after allegedly assaulting a peer with an intellectual disability for more than two hours in Cheonan, with additional allegations including illegal filming, cigarette burns, and forced acts.