Director Kim Chang-min Testifies on Tonkatsu Incident

It has been belatedly confirmed that Director Kim Chang-min, who died from assault, was under investigation for special intimidation on the day of the incident. In the early morning of October 20, 2023, Director Kim visited a restaurant with his son, who has autistic tendencies, and got into an altercation with customers at another table.

CCTV footage from the day of the incident shows Director Kim smoking outside the restaurant with Mr. A and his companions. After entering the restaurant, Director Kim picked up something from a table and rushed towards his companions but was restrained. During this process, Mr. B, one of Mr. A's companions, choked Director Kim. When Director Kim went outside the restaurant, one of his companions was seen patting him on the back.

However, a scuffle ensued again, and Mr. A punched Director Kim in the face. Afterward, Mr. B dragged the fallen Director Kim into an alley, and it was investigated that further assault by Mr. A took place at that location.

Responding to a report from a restaurant employee, the police secured a statement that "Director Kim rushed at them with a pork cutlet knife," and included Director Kim in the investigation for special intimidation at the initial stage of the investigation. The responding police officers at the scene determined that Director Kim and Mr. A had mutually fought at the time. As Director Kim passed away, the charge was closed with "no prosecution."

The police booked Mr. A for assault on the day of the incident and later applied for an arrest warrant, which was rejected once due to the prosecution's request for supplementary investigation. Subsequently, arrest warrants were re-applied for Mr. A and Mr. B on charges of causing death by injury, but the court dismissed them, stating, "He has a fixed address and no risk of destroying evidence."