Chinese Man Charging with Blades in Both Hands Subdued by Police with Live Ammunition Shot

Chinese Man Wielding Weapon Causes Disturbance, Under Treatment After Hospital Transfer
Police May Use Live Ammunition If 'Lethal Attack' Expected

A Chinese national in his 30s wielding a weapon and causing a disturbance near Yangpyeong Terminal in Gyeonggi was subdued after being shot with live ammunition by the police. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] A Chinese man who went on a rampage wielding a weapon and even threatened police officers trying to restrain him was shot with live ammunition by the police and collapsed. The man is currently being transported to a hospital for treatment but is reported to be in critical condition.

According to the Yangpyeong Police Station in Gyeonggi Province on the 2nd, at around 4:19 PM that day, a report was received that a man in his 30s with Chinese nationality, identified as Mr. A, was threatening citizens with a weapon on a street near Yangpyeong Terminal.

Mr. A was causing a disturbance at the scene, holding weapons in both hands. Eight police officers dispatched to the scene attempted to subdue Mr. A using electronic shock devices (Taser guns), but it was reported that the tasers were ineffective as Mr. A was wearing a thick coat at the time.

Mr. A, who did not stop his rampage, further charged at the police. Ultimately, the police fired four live rounds at Mr. A. He was hit in three areas of his body, including the abdomen and legs, and collapsed. He was then transported to a nearby university hospital.

At the time of transport to the hospital, Mr. A was conscious but is known to be in critical condition.

According to the Police Agency regulations implemented since 2019, police officers may use live ammunition to subdue a subject if the subject poses a 'lethal threat.' / Photo by Yonhap News

The police urgently arrested Mr. A on charges including intimidation, and plan to investigate the specific circumstances and motive of the incident once he recovers. They also intend to examine whether the police officers' use of firearms during the restraint was justified.

The police firearm use standards follow the "Regulations on the Standards and Methods of Police Use of Physical Force," a police agency directive implemented since 2019.

This regulation classifies the actions of the subject against police officers or third parties into five stages: compliance, passive resistance, active resistance, violent attack, and lethal attack, and defines the physical force police may use at each stage.

Among these, if the subject uses weapons such as bladed weapons, blunt instruments, or firearms to exert force, or commits a 'lethal attack' that can cause death or serious injury through indiscriminate violence, the police may use batons, gas sprays, electronic shock devices, as well as live ammunition pistols.