Aussie toughs pummel Korean man

SYDNEY - A Korean residing in Sydney suffered heavy injuries after being attacked by a group of unidentified suspects, the victim and police officials here said yesterday.

The 33-year-old Korean surnamed Kim was assaulted early Oct. 13 near his house in downtown Sydney by four or five assailants, who kicked and beat him with a golf club, causing a skull fracture as well as fracturing two of his ribs, according to Australian police officials.

The unprovoked attack comes less than a month after a similar assault in Melbourne, where a couple of Korean students were beaten up by a group of local teenagers in what was seen as a racist attack against Asians.

“The residential streets near my house seemed to be empty as it was nearing dawn, but the attackers suddenly appeared from the side of a car,” Kim said. “Without saying a word, they beat me up and fled in an automobile, taking my bag with them.”

The assailants did not seem to be of Asian descent, Kim added. After the attackers fled the scene, Kim was taken to a nearby hospital and underwent emergency treatment. Kim has been living in Australia since late 2007 and is currently working at a headhunting firm.

The Australian police and officials in charge of the case said they have no leads on the suspects or a motive for the crime.

Yonhap