Suspect Apprehended After Random Stabbing Attack at Seohyeon Station
Police Investigate Motive and Mental Health History
Commissioner General Yoon Orders Strict Response, Labels Incident "Act of Terrorism"
A man born in 2001 was apprehended by police after committing a random stabbing attack at Seohyeon Station in Bundang-gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. It has been reported that the suspect expressed paranoid delusions during police questioning. National Police Agency Commissioner General Yoon Hee-keun identified the incident as an act of terrorism and ordered a strict response.
According to police and other sources on August 3, a 112 emergency call was received at 5:58 p.m. reporting that an unidentified man was stabbing people with a weapon at AK Plaza in Seohyeon Station. The suspect drove an ivory-colored Morning vehicle (license plate number 23DA6424) onto the sidewalk, then wielded a weapon on the first and second floors of AK Plaza. At the time of the crime, the suspect was wearing a black hoodie and sunglasses, chasing people while brandishing the weapon.
Police apprehended the suspect at the scene at 6:05 p.m. The suspect, a man born in 2001, is known to work in the delivery industry. A police official explained, "Contrary to what has been reported in the media, the suspect was born in 2001, not 1999."
Police believe the suspect acted alone. Currently, the suspect is complaining of paranoid delusions, so police plan to check for any psychiatric history and drug use. There are a total of 14 victims: 5 injured by the vehicle collision and 9 stabbed. The victims were transported to nearby hospitals, including Bundang Jesaeng Hospital and CHA Hospital. It was reported that one of the seriously injured victims is in critical condition, but whether there have been any fatalities has not yet been confirmed. Both an official from Bundang Police Station and an official from the Gyeonggi Fire and Disaster Headquarters stated, "No reports of fatalities have been received," adding, "We are checking if there are any fatalities among the seriously injured victims."
Meanwhile, Commissioner General Yoon ordered a strict response. At 8 p.m. that day, Yoon held a video conference with police chiefs nationwide at the National Police Agency headquarters, stating, "Due to a series of incidents, citizens have become so fearful that they are afraid to even go outside," and urged, "Please actively conduct command activities to prevent similar crimes from occurring." He further emphasized, "This crime is, in effect, equivalent to an act of terrorism," and stressed, "A swift and thorough investigation must be conducted into the suspect in this case, and the strictest possible penalties, including arrest, should be applied to ensure severe punishment."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
