Bereaved family members and legal representatives hold a press conference urging for a probe into the death of a Korean Chinese man at an immigration detention center in southern Seoul on Aug. 22, 2024. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Aug. 22 (Korea Bizwire) – The family of a Chinese man who died at an immigration detention center filed a lawsuit seeking state compensation Thursday, claiming their loved one died because he did not receive proper treatment for chronic illnesses.
The ethnic Korean from China, 43 at the time, died on Jan. 1, just 15 days after he was put into the Seoul Southern Immigration Office on Dec. 15 for administrative violations, according to Duroo, a law firm representing his family.
The man, who had suffered from high blood pressure and diabetes, lost consciousness on Jan. 1 after showing symptoms of nausea, and substances came out of his nose. He was taken to a hospital but died, according to the family.
The family claimed the man was unable to receive proper medical checkups from a doctor or receive medications for his diabetes inside the detention facility, even though the immigration office is required to provide proper medical treatment to those under its protection.
The family filed a lawsuit seeking about 50 million won (US$37,443) in state compensation.
The law firm, civic groups, and the bereaved family members also urged the justice ministry overseeing the immigration office to launch a probe into the death, apologize to the victim’s family, and compensate for the death.
(Yonhap)
