Yoon Hee-geun, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, "Will Not Hesitate to Use Firearms or Tasers Against Knife Assault Crimes"

Yoon Hee-geun, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, stated that the police will respond strongly to violent crimes involving weapons by allowing the use of firearms and tasers to the maximum extent possible. He also emphasized that suspects of heinous crimes will be punished as severely as the law permits after their arrest.

On the afternoon of the 4th, Commissioner Yoon announced a public statement at the National Police Agency containing these details and declared the launch of special security operations against violent crimes involving weapons.

Yoon Hee-geun, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, is delivering a public statement regarding the stabbing incident on the afternoon of the 4th at the National Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

On that day, Commissioner Yoon said, “The recent violent crimes involving weapons at Sillim Station and Seohyeon Station have heightened public anxiety,” adding, “The current situation is a serious emergency where public safety is severely threatened by various heinous crimes.”

He continued, “Violent crimes targeting innocent citizens are essentially acts of terrorism,” and stated, “From this moment until public anxiety is alleviated, the police will declare special security operations to respond to violent crimes involving weapons and their copycat crimes.”

First, Commissioner Yoon explained, “We will swiftly suppress the crime atmosphere by strengthening patrol activities using police forces such as local police, police riot squads, and detective personnel to the fullest extent in public places,” and added, “Selective inspections and searches will be conducted according to legal procedures on those suspected of carrying weapons or exhibiting abnormal behavior.”

He also said, “Regarding violent crimes involving weapons, we will not hesitate to use legitimate police physical force such as firearms and tasers, and will actively apply exemption regulations for police officers to support law enforcement on the scene.”

Furthermore, Commissioner Yoon emphasized, “We will also respond strongly without exception to irresponsible and indiscriminate online threats of violent crimes and baseless fake news,” and added, “We will concentrate all investigative capabilities to quickly identify and arrest the posters, and punish them as severely as the law allows.”

Commissioner Yoon also stated, “Through active cooperation with local governments, autonomous crime prevention groups, and private security companies, we will secure the safety of everyday living spaces used by citizens in every neighborhood, and discuss the expansion of security infrastructure and legal and institutional improvements with related organizations,” concluding, “I offer my condolences to those affected by the recent series of violent crimes, and the police will protect the daily lives of the public with extraordinary determination.”