Incheon councilor sent to prosecutors for assaulting director at workshop

A local councilor in Incheon, South Korea, has been referred to prosecutors on charges of assaulting a secretariat director during a workshop after-party. Yeo Jae-man, a councilor from the People Power Party in the Gyeyang District, is accused of assaulting the director, identified as Mr. K, at a resort in Ganghwa County on July 2.

The alleged assault resulted in injuries requiring two weeks of treatment for Mr. K. Reports indicate that Yeo struck Mr. K after becoming enraged by the director's use of informal language during the gathering. Mr. K has filed a complaint against Yeo for assault.

However, the police have applied the more serious charge of violating the Act on the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities, considering Mr. K's status as a person with a disability. This charge carries a heavier penalty than a simple assault charge.

The Gyeyang District Council is scheduled to convene an ethics special committee on July 21 to determine disciplinary measures against Yeo. The incident has drawn attention to the conduct of local officials and the treatment of individuals with disabilities.