Unexpected Emergency at Distribution Company Following Stabbing Incident at Seohyeon Station

Security Enhancement Including Expansion of Safety Personnel
Related Training Conducted for Employees

An unprovoked stabbing rampage occurred near Seohyeon Station in Bundang, triggering an unexpected alert in the distribution industry. Since the Seohyeon Station incident took place in a space connected to a department store, various distribution companies are busy making efforts to strengthen security.

Amid ongoing imitative threats involving bladed weapons, riot police officers are on guard at Ori Station in Bundang on the afternoon of the 4th. Photo by Heo Younghan younghan@

According to the industry on the 4th, following the 'Bundang unprovoked stabbing rampage' incident that caused 14 injuries the previous day, distribution companies have begun preparing measures to enhance safety management. They are expanding on-site security personnel and strengthening patrols around stores, while maintaining hotlines with the police to prepare for similar situations.

Lotte Property & Development, which manages Lotte World Tower, started reinforcing its own security from early dawn that day. They increased security and anti-terror personnel to 130 to strengthen external patrols. On the day of the Bundang unprovoked stabbing rampage incident, around 7 p.m., a threatening post saying "I will kill 20 people at Jamsil Station tomorrow morning" was posted on an internet community, prompting preemptive measures.

Besides this, Lotte’s entire distribution sector is strengthening safety and security management, focusing on department stores and marts. In particular, security personnel have taken off their suits and are wearing stab-proof vests to prepare for any possible emergency. A Lotte distribution sector official said, "We plan to educate employees on how to communicate and report in case of an emergency and how to guide customers smoothly to evacuation sites."

Shinsegae and Hyundai Department Store are also raising the level of security management at each store. They have increased the number of security personnel by more than 20% compared to usual and coordinated with nearby police stations to maintain a vigilant stance. Security personnel are provided with batons and are similarly strengthening patrols to prepare for any eventuality. An industry insider said, "We are doing our best to ensure customer safety, including preparing safety equipment."

However, even with increased security personnel, the industry’s concern grows over the fact that there is no way to prevent crimes like the Bundang unprovoked stabbing rampage incident the day before. Under current law, even if possession of a weapon is recognized, it is virtually impossible to restrain the person unless a crime has already occurred. The current Criminal Procedure Act stipulates that anyone can arrest a 'caught-in-the-act' offender without a warrant. A department store official said, "Only the police can actually restrain someone," adding, "Our best option is to impose restrictions to prevent harm to customers."