"Is Korea Really Safe?" Foreign Media Shocked by Series of Stabbings

US CNN "Rare Incident in Korea with Low Violent Crime"
NYT "Highly Unusual... Shocks the Korean People"

After the stabbing rampage incident at Sillim Station, a similar crime occurred at Seohyeon Station, spreading anxiety among citizens. Foreign media pointed out the consecutive occurrences of 'random stabbing rampages' in South Korea, where violent crimes are rare, expressing concern.

On the 3rd (local time), the US CNN reported, "A man drove a car into pedestrians and then went on a stabbing rampage, injuring at least 14 people." It added, "Just a few days ago, another stabbing attack (the Sillim Station stabbing rampage incident) in Seoul resulted in one death and several injuries. However, such incidents are originally rare in South Korea, where violent crimes are uncommon."

On the morning of the 4th, citizens are commuting to work passing by the site of the stabbing incident at Seohyeon Station in Seongnam City. Photo by Heo Younghan younghan@

The US New York Times (NYT) also reported on this incident, stating, "Stabbings and vehicle rampages rarely occur in South Korea. However, this incident shocked the public as it happened less than a month after the public raised safety concerns following the Sillim Station stabbing rampage incident."

Indian media WION pointed out, "According to statistics, South Korea's homicide rate was 1.3 per 100,000 people in 2021, making it known as a very safe country, so such stabbing terror incidents are very unusual in South Korea. The homicide rate in the US is 7.8 per 100,000 people."

On the afternoon of the 3rd, the forensic investigation team was deployed to the scene near Seohyeon Station in Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi Province, where a random stabbing incident occurred, to conduct an on-site investigation.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, on the previous day (the 3rd) at 5:59 PM, it was investigated that the suspect, Choi (22), drove a vehicle and hit pedestrians at AK Plaza near Seohyeon Station in Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi Province, then wielded a knife on the 1st and 2nd floors of the shopping mall. Choi is reported to be a delivery worker.

So far, a total of 14 people have been identified as injured. Five were injured by being hit by the vehicle, and nine were injured by the weapon. Two of the victims are in critical condition. Choi was arrested on the spot by the police at 6:05 PM, six minutes after the first report was received. He is currently known to be complaining of delusions of persecution.

Prior to this, just two weeks ago on the 21st of last month, near the exit of Sillim Station in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, the suspect Jo Sun (33) wielded a weapon against citizens, resulting in the death of a man in his 20s and serious injuries to three other men.