Guri: Indie film director Kim Chang-min, who was initially reported to have died from a cerebral hemorrhage, was later revealed to have actually died following an assault, as confirmed by his bereaved family on Tuesday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim died at a hospital on November 7 last year at the age of 40 after collapsing at a restaurant in Guri, just east of Seoul, on October 20. His organs were donated to four people. Kim's family disclosed that he died after being assaulted by other customers at the restaurant. However, a court dismissed the arrest warrants for the assault suspects.

Kim's family expressed their anger, criticizing the entire process, from the police's initial response and investigation following the assault to the punishment of the suspects, as inadequate. A family member revealed that Kim had visited the 24-hour restaurant because his son, who has autistic tendencies, suddenly wanted to eat pork cutlets. During the meal, an argument and physical altercation erupted with customers at another table over issues such as noise, leading to Kim being struck by a fist and collapsing. He was transferred to a nearby hospital about an hour later but eventually succumbed to his injuries.

The police applied for arrest warrants for the two assault suspects on charges of manslaughter, but the Namyangju branch of the Uijeongbu District Court dismissed the request, citing the suspects' stable residences and lack of evidence destruction risk. Ultimately, the police handed the case over to the prosecution last week without detaining the suspects, leaving Kim's family outraged that five months have passed since the incident, yet the suspects remain free.

The late Kim debuted in 2016 with "Someone's Daughter" and directed several socially conscious films, including "Guui Station Exit No. 3." He was awarded Best Director at the 2016 Police Human Rights Film Festival.