South Korean official dies after Barcelona robbery

A HIGH-RANKING official from the South Korean government has died after being robbed in Barcelona.

Hyewon Kim, aged 65, was seriously injured on Monday night (June 24) when a motorcyclist tried to snatch her handbag. She was knocked to the ground and hit her head. She passed away in hospital yesterday (June 27).

The victim was part of South Korea’s Culture and Tourism Ministry and was on an official visit to Barcelona.

Police have launched an investigation and are examining security camera footage from businesses in the Poblet Nou district of the city to see if they can identify the robber.

There is a growing debate about crime in Barcelona. Last year there was a 17 per cent rise in offences. In the first quarter of this year violent crime in the city rose 28 per cent.