Hanwha scion in bar brawl

The Yongsan Police Precinct in Seoul said yesterday that Kim Dongseon, third son of Chairman Kim Seung-youn of Hanwha Group, was under investigation for brawling at a hotel bar and destroying appliances.

According to the police, Kim, 21, engaged in a brawl with bar workers and broke a window by throwing a microphone at a hotel in Yongsan at 1:30 a.m. on Sept. 26. Kim allegedly assaulted a bar worker who tried to restrain him and fought with two security guards, punching and kicking them with his fists and feet. His brother was involved in a similar brawl several years ago.

Police said it dropped an assault charge because the victims did not want to lodge a complaint. Police went to the scene upon a 112 report said “the incident accidently happened as he was drunk.” The police said they handled the case according to the manual.

Kim issued an apology through the public relations office of Hanwha Group, saying, “It was undeniably my fault. I will not make any excuse. I sincerely apologize for those suffered from the incident.”

Kim attends Dartmouth College in the United States, majoring in geography. Kim, at the age of 17, won a gold medal in horse-riding at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar.

By Kim Hyo-eun [enational@joongang.co.kr]