'The Man Next to the Girl, Suspicious...' Citizen's Instinct Prevented Abduction

Suspicious Citizen Follows Man
Questions and Struggles Until Police Arrive
"Thanks to Brave Neighbor, the World Feels Warmer"

A man in his 40s who attempted to lure and kidnap an 8-year-old girl playing in a park was caught by the police, and praise is pouring in for a citizen who suspiciously intervened and stopped him.

The Gwangju Bukbu Police Station announced on the 4th that they arrested a man in his 40s, identified as Mr. A, on the 3rd on charges of luring a minor. The incident occurred around 5:15 p.m. the previous day at a children's park in Buk-gu, Gwangju, where he allegedly tried to take the 8-year-old girl to his home by offering her snacks.

He reportedly lured the child by saying, "I will give you a doll," and led her about 500 meters away. At the time, a resident who had come to the park with his son witnessed the situation and followed Mr. A closely, eventually blocking him.

As the police arrived, Mr. A was captured kneeling and pleading, saying he was not the uncle.
[Photo by MBC]

According to footage of the incident released by MBC, Mr. A is seen walking with the girl along a residential street and pulling her hand. The suspicious citizen confronted Mr. A and asked, "What is your relationship with the child?"

Mr. A replied, "I am the child's uncle. I am taking her to give her a doll," and the girl also referred to him as her uncle. Nevertheless, the citizen remained suspicious and did not let down his guard.

The citizen separated Mr. A and the girl and tried to call 112 (emergency number). When Mr. A tried to stop him, a physical struggle ensued, which was also captured on video. When the police arrived, Mr. A knelt down and pleaded, saying, "I am not the uncle."

According to the police investigation, Mr. A had no prior acquaintance with the girl and instructed her to say he was her uncle while giving her snacks. Considering the seriousness of the case, the police plan to request an arrest warrant for Mr. A.

Meanwhile, the video is also available on MBC's YouTube channel. It has attracted public attention, currently recording 2.1 million views. Netizens have expressed various reactions such as "What an amazing neighbor," and "The world feels warmer because of brave people like this."

A man in his 40s who tried to take an 8-year-old child playing in a playground to his home was arrested by the police, and a video showing a citizen intervening and stopping him at the time has been released, drawing attention.
[Photo by Yonhap News]