Baek Nam-gi, a 69-year-old farmer died on 25 September, after 10 months in a coma.

On 14 November last year, Baek attended the largest rally held in Gwanghwamun Square to protest against the Park Geun-hye’s government’s decision to liberalise imports of rice. 

Baek fell after being hit by the police firing liquid pepper spray and water cannons as they tried to disperse the crowd. He was transferred to Seoul National University Hospital, but never regained consciousness after the rally. Baek, a long time activist died 317 days later on 25 September. 

His death has prompted growing calls for the government and police to apologise, but they are still denying making an apology.

When Baek’s memorial altar was set up, the hundreds of riot police block off an entrance to the hospital funeral home during a service for deceased Beak, leading to heavy criticism from the public.

Moreover, Police’s plan to conduct an autopsy on the body of Baek is prompting a big controversy and criticism.
Lee Chul-sung, chief of the National Police Agency announced on Monday that they are considering applying for a warrant to conduct an autopsy on Baek’s body, saying that the cause of his death is unclear and disputed, but the court rejected the application a few hours later.

However, they seized Beak’s medical records and the court issued a warrant for this. 

“He was reported to have sustained a subarachnoid hemorrhage when he was first hospitalized, but died of acute heart failure according to his doctor. To find specific causes of death and clear up any possible misunderstanding, an autopsy is necessary,” Lee said.

The police decision immediately enraged Baek’s grieving family and other mourners and the public, calling it “an insult” to the deceased and an attempt to manipulate the cause of his death.

Doctor Woo Seok-gyun, co-head of the Association of Physicians for Humanism, said that brain damage should without doubt be seen as a major cause behind his death. 

“We could not find medical statements that are different from what he was first diagnosed with -- a fracture in the brain and brain edema. The carinal failure is what he suffered while being hospitalized,” he said.