Two Koreans in Paraguay shot in auto

Two young Korean-Paraguayans were shot Saturday, Korean time, on their way home from work in Lambare, Paraguay, the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said yesterday. Both were in critical condition.

The two, 20-year-old Lee and 19-year-old Jeong, came under attack in Lambare, near Asuncion, the capital of the Latin American country, at 6:40 p.m. Friday local time, the ministry said.

The two, who work at a factory run by a Korean, were heading home in a car along with a Paraguayan co-worker when a motorbike came up beside them and fired multiple shots, the ministry said.

Lee and Jeong were hit in the head, chest and spine. They both underwent surgery, the ministry said.

“It’s still unclear whether the attack involved one gunman or more,” said a ministry official. “The motive also is not yet known.” The Paraguayan co-worker sustained nonlife-threatening injuries, the official said.

The Koreans, whose parents have lived in Paraguay for many years, have dual citizenship, the ministry said.

By Moon Gwang-lip [joe@joongang.co.kr]