Flowers are laid on the desk of a former civil servant of Gokseong County in South Jeolla Province, Thursday. The public official was killed after being hit by a college student who jumped to his death from an apartment in Gwangju. / Yonhap



By Kim Bo-eun



Citizens are expressing condolences to the bereaved family of a civil servant who was killed after being hit by a university student who jumped to his death from an apartment in the southwestern city of Gwangju.

According to police, the 25-year-old student, whose identity was withheld, took his life, Tuesday, while preparing to take the civil service exam. The student jumped from the 20th floor and landed on the civil servant surnamed Yang, 39, who was on his way home with his pregnant wife and five-year-old son.

Yang sustained severe injuries to his head and was immediately taken to the hospital but died. The student died instantly.

Police found half a bottle of liquor and a suicide note in the corridor of the 20th floor.

Yang was a civil servant working for the adjacent county of Gokseong in South Jeolla Province. He had commuted daily from his home in Gwangju and had been returning home that day after working late. His wife and son were walking a few meters behind him.

The Gokseong County office is planning to file for Yang's death to be recognized as occurring while he was on duty. He was in charge of promoting the county.

"We are considering charging the student with accidental homicide," a police officer said. "The case will be concluded without indictment as the student is dead, but this procedure is expected to help Yang's family receive compensation."

Internet users are expressing their disbelief and sorrow over the unintended death.

"A college student who committed suicide and unintentional murder," one commenter wrote. "I cannot believe it. I offer my deepest condolences to the deceased civil servant's family."

"What a catastrophe for both families," another said. "The parents of the student will feel like they have to apologize even though they also lost their child. And the circumstances of the civil servant's family are unbelievably tragic."

"How tragic would it be to see your husband or father die before your own eyes?" another comment read. "I hope the wife and the child are okay. I express my deepest sorrow."