(image: KobizMedia/ Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Jul. 4 (Korea Bizwire) — After a series of accidents that were sparked by falling objects from high-rise apartment buildings, police have started to implement measures aimed at promoting public safety.
The National Police Agency revealed yesterday that it will be carrying out promotional activities at apartment management offices and local government agencies to prevent such occurrences.
In May, a woman in her 50s had her shoulder blade and ribs broken when a dumbbell weighing 1.5 kilograms fell from atop an apartment building.
In the same month, a knife measuring 30 centimeters in length fell onto the road within an apartment complex in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, and just last month, a steel statue of a samurai fell into a water fountain installed inside an apartment complex in Busan.
Outside an apartment building in Seoul, a falling chair severely damaged a car that was parked below. In just May and June alone, seven similar cases were reported and three people were arrested and held responsible.
In order to raise awareness of the fact that objects that fall from high-rise buildings can cause serious damage, police officers have asked apartment management employees for cooperation.
Law enforcement agencies are asking management to make voice announcements regarding the issue, in addition to posting warnings throughout the premises.
In a few of the accidents, young children were to blame due to their carelessness. Regarding the dumbbell incident in Pyeongtaek, a 7-year-old child was singled out as the suspect.
And in a later case that saw a brick falling from an apartment building, a 9-year-old child was linked to the accident.
As those under 10 years old are exempt from any criminal liability, victims are limited to filing civil suits against them to claim damages.
H. S. Seo (hsseo@koreabizwire.com)
