Prosecutors Arrest and Indict Man in His 50s for Subway MacGyver Knife Rampage

A man in his 50s who caused a disturbance by wielding a MacGyver knife, a weapon, on Seoul Subway Line 2 train has been brought to trial in custody.

Hong Mo (51), who is accused of assaulting passengers while holding a small tool in his hand on Seoul Subway Line 2, is attending a detention hearing at the Western District Court in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on the 21st of last month. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The Criminal Division 3 of Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kim Chang-su) announced on the 8th that Hong (51) was indicted in custody on charges of special injury.

Hong is accused of wielding a weapon at passengers on a train heading from Hongdaeipgu Station toward Hapjeong Station on Seoul Subway Line 2 around 12:30 p.m. on the 19th of last month. The weapon he wielded was a folding multi-purpose tool, which injured two people: A (28) and a Taiwanese national B (29).

The prosecution searched Hong’s residence and internet search records, checked mobile phone subscription details, and conducted inquiries with neighbors, concluding that Hong is a so-called 'eundunhyeong oeltoli' (reclusive loner). Hong had not subscribed to a mobile phone and rarely used the internet. It was also found that he had no interactions with people around him.

Furthermore, it was confirmed that Hong had written multiple notes in his own handwriting stating that "a criminal company is attacking me." The prosecution believes Hong, suffering from delusions of persecution, committed the crime against unspecified many. Hong has a history of treatment for mental illness but had not received treatment since January 18, 2019. However, the prosecution judged that he was not in a state of diminished responsibility, as they are aware of the circumstances and details of his crime.