ANSAN, South Korea — On January 6, local police announced that four individuals have been referred to the prosecution in connection with a high-pressure water gun accident that left a performer severely injured during a regional festival last summer.
The Ansan Danwon Police Station has handed over two employees from an event contracting firm and two officials from the Ansan Cultural Foundation to the Ansan Branch of the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office. All four face charges of professional negligence resulting in injury.
The Incident
The accident occurred on August 15, 2025, during the "Ansan Summer Festa 2025: Yeoreumio," an event organized by the Ansan Cultural Foundation at the Ansan Culture Square.
According to police reports, a college student, identified as "A," was performing on stage when he was struck in the face by a powerful stream of water fired from a high-pressure water gun by a fellow performer, "B." The device, which was reportedly placed on stage by a staff member during the show, was intended to spray the audience. However, the nozzle suddenly veered toward A, hitting him at point-blank range.
The victim suffered deep lacerations to his face and hands and was rushed to a nearby emergency room for treatment.
Safety Negligence Allegations
The victim's family filed a formal complaint after claiming that neither the city of Ansan nor the Cultural Foundation took responsibility for the incident. They argued that the specific water gun used was not a standard device typically utilized in stage performances and that the performers had received no prior briefing or safety training on its operation.
"The performers had never seen that specific device before the show and had no knowledge of its extreme pressure," the family stated, highlighting a critical failure in safety management.
Police Findings
Following an investigation, the police concluded that the event organizers and foundation staff failed to establish a proper safety protocol. While the officials responsible for oversight were booked, the police decided not to charge "B," the individual who pulled the trigger. Authorities determined that B could not have reasonably foreseen the danger, as the equipment had been swapped unexpectedly at the last minute without prior notice.
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