William Kapoun Passes Away

by Robert Koehler on March 9, 2008

in Blogging

It’s with great sadness that I report that Bill Kapoun has succumbed to his injuries.

I offer my condolences to his family and friends.

{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }

1 sanshinseon March 9, 2008 at 6:44 pm: R. I. P.

donation made and condolences sent…
2 mcnut March 9, 2008 at 6:51 pm: this is really sad
rest in peace man!!! your family and friends will miss you
3 Brendon Carr (Korea Law Blog) March 9, 2008 at 7:01 pm: I’ve written here on the Marmot’s Hole, and over at my Korea Law Blog too, about how to sign up for National Medical Insurance Program even if the hagwon doesn’t do it for you. It’s important to have that national insurance, and a supplemental accident and health policy too.
4 mcnut March 9, 2008 at 7:58 pm: the korea times article mentions a memorial service for bill on yongsan
if anyone knows the official time and date for this please post here

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/ww.....20364.html
5 MigukNamja March 9, 2008 at 8:07 pm: Rest in peace, Bill.
6 Woland March 9, 2008 at 10:18 pm: My sympathies are with both families.

According to the KT article linked above, the police now believe the fire was an accident, whereas earlier reports suggested the possibility of arson. In particular, the appearance of a flammable substance in the entrance way of the apartment was reported by the Herald. It is entirely possible that the new verdict reflects deeper investigation, but it would be good if the police were to make clear what has changed their minds about the cause of the fire. Reporters for either the Times or the Herald could serve a valuable role by pressing for this information.
7 Ut videam March 9, 2008 at 10:42 pm: Requiem æternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei. Requiescat in pace. Amen.
8 Brendon Carr (Korea Law Blog) March 9, 2008 at 10:43 pm: One flammable substance often found in the apartments of young people in Korea is butane.

Sitting around cooking up samgyeop-sal over the tabletop camp stove is a frequent pastime of English teachers and soldiers alike. A lot of these characters sit around smoking with that rickety camp stove sitting there like a tabletop bomb.

A child was horribly disfigured in a house fire across the street from our apartment building. Butane was fingered by the fire department as a cause.

Butane is also sometimes abused as an inhalant. So far as I know, there’s zero evidence that Bill Kapoun and his girlfriend were huffing butane, but huffing is strongly correlated with burns when young people are brought to emergency rooms in the States.

Regardless of the use, that camp stove has no business in your apartment. Throw it out if you have one.
9 Brian March 10, 2008 at 12:11 am: Sad end to a very sad story. Let’s everyone do our best to make sure there’s a real investigation here, instead of just griping for one on the internet. Let’s see how committed we ALL are to building and strengthening our community.
10 SomeguyinKorea March 10, 2008 at 12:31 am: “It’s important to have that national insurance, and a supplemental accident and health policy too.”

Yes. You can be very well insured, national and supplemental, for under 100 000 won per month. On top of that, the premiums on some supplemental policies are partially refunded at the end of their term, so the real cost comes to about 75000 won.
11 SomeguyinKorea March 10, 2008 at 12:31 am: …that is, if you have to pay for the national insurance plan yourself.
12 JohnT March 10, 2008 at 7:04 am: rest in peace bro. hope his family can find some comfort somehow
13 Simone_ March 10, 2008 at 9:21 am: Very sad. I know this has been a huge wake-up call for a lot of young expats.

This gets me thinking again about how hard it’s been for us to find decent life insurance here. Clearly, bad shit can happen, and since we’ve had a kid, I’ve really wanted to get a decent term life insurance policy.

I’ve only been able to find companies here who want to provide “investment based” life insurance, not a simple 30 year term policy for a healthy non-smoker. Anyone found a company willing to insure an expat? (And not one of those “expat insurance” companies who assume you’re working for an oil company in Saudi Arabia.) Just your basic e7 visa working stiff who wants to be covered.
14 Maddlew March 10, 2008 at 9:23 am: What a horrible situation for his family. If you can I would suggest you continue to give support in any way possible. I’m sure the bills aren’t going to simply vanish. My prayers are with him and his friends and family.
15 Railwaycharm March 10, 2008 at 12:17 pm: Probably the worst way to die. I hope the family can find peace. Horrible.
16 SomeguyinKorea March 10, 2008 at 1:51 pm: Simone,

Maybe AIG can offer you what you’re looking for. It’s an American insurance company.

http://www.aig.com/gateway/hom....._index.htm
17 Obamafan March 10, 2008 at 4:11 pm: This may sound a little mean, but where is King Baeksu now, with his complaints about the lack of community spirit amongst non-Koreans? Has he made a single comment since this story began? Has he dug deep? Where is he? Isn’t this exactly what he is calling for? Or does it only matter when it is his issue that is at stake. I challenge him to show his community spirit at this time.
18 Nambangui horangi March 12, 2008 at 4:21 am: My grandmother and aunt, whom I never got to meet, died years ago in the Hartford Circus Fire; my grandfather managed to escape with my mother who was then two years old, so the story has personal resonance.

Rest in peace, Bill. I’m so sorry for you and your family and those who knew and loved you.