A woman in her twenties while watching a Taekwondo breaking demonstration broke her nose when she was hit by fragments of broken pine board.
Mr. A, an office worker living in Seoul, was watching the 'Taekwondo Permanent Performance' planned by the city of Gwanghwamun Square on the weekend of the 15th.
He was standing outside the safety line watching the breaking demonstration, when suddenly a piece of pine board kicked by the performer flew into his face.
He bled so badly after being hit with a pine board that people around him called 911 and was immediately taken to the hospital emergency room, where the torn skin was stitched up, and X-rays and computed tomography (CT) confirmed her fracture of the nasal bone.
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He still has a very swollen face and can't eat properly, and it is expected that he will not be able to undergo reconstructive surgery with general anesthesia until next week.
According to the medical certificate, it is indicated that stability is required for at least 3 weeks after surgery.
He is said to be experiencing extreme physical pain, as well as mental pain from the memories of the incident, and is unable to leave the office.
He said, "As a woman in her 20s, the thought that it might leave permanent deformation or scars on her face is devastating. At the time of the accident, there were infants and young children sitting in strollers around the time of the accident. The part that hurt you is a serious problem,” he pointed out.
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The performance in question has been held at Gwanghwamun Square twice a day every weekend since September 16th, and will continue until the 30th.
A Seoul official said, "I am sincerely sorry that something unfortunate has happened." "Every time there was a performance, I went to the site and checked the safety. This is the first time such an accident has occurred. During the Taekwondo breaking demonstration, visitors must keep a distance of 15m or more to avoid accidents. The victim was about 20 meters away from the performance stage."
He said, "I prepared the event with a happy heart to provide a spectacle to the citizens, but it's a pity. The victim's medical expenses as well as compensation will be negotiated and dealt with. The Taekwondo performance will continue as scheduled, but even if the number of attractions is reduced to prevent similar accidents. I will make sure that the pine board does not fly far during the breaking demonstration."
(Photo = provided by the informant, Yonhap News)