Woman hit by falling glass bottle in Gangseo apartment complex

A woman was injured after being struck on the head by a falling glass bottle while walking her dog in a Seoul apartment complex, police said.

The incident happened around 7 a.m. on July 26 in an apartment complex in Deungchon-dong, Gangseo District, western Seoul, according to a report by MBC. CCTV footage shows the woman suddenly clutching her head and collapsing. A passerby ahead of her turned in shock and rushed to help.

“I felt a sudden, strong blow to my head and went down,” the victim said. “My bag was soaked, and my hands and phone were covered in blood.”

She was taken to a hospital, where doctors stitched a 2.5-centimeter (1-inch) cut on her forehead in two separate procedures. She remains on sedatives, shaken by the attack.

Police found two empty 250-milliliter (8.5-ounce) glass bottles at the scene. They have sent them to the National Forensic Service for DNA testing but have yet to uncover a suspect.

Throwing objects from an apartment can carry up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 7 million won ($5,000) under Korea’s criminal code. If the object is considered dangerous, the penalty can be heavier. Intentionally injuring someone can carry a prison term of one to 10 years for special assault. Even without intent, the thrower faces civil liability.

BY JANG GU-SEUL [yim.seunghye@joongang.co.kr]