30s Male Urgently Arrested for Killing Apartment Resident with Bladed Weapon (Comprehensive)

A man in his 30s who killed a resident living in the same apartment complex with a weapon has been arrested by the police.

On the 30th, the Seoul Western Police Station announced that they had urgently arrested a man in his 30s, Mr. A (37), on suspicion of murder for wielding a weapon at the main entrance of the apartment where he resides and killing a resident of the same complex around 11:30 p.m. the previous day. Mr. A fled to his home immediately after the crime but was caught within an hour.

Mr. A was a neighbor who knew the victim’s face but was understood to have had little acquaintance with him.

It was confirmed that Mr. A had received approval from the authorities in January to possess a sword for decorative purposes. Under the Firearms, Knives, and Explosives Control Act, individuals who are mentally incapacitated, drug, marijuana, psychotropic drug or alcohol addicts, or have mental illnesses cannot obtain permission to possess knives.

Investigations revealed that Mr. A was not under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crime. The police plan to conduct a simple drug test on Mr. A and request a psychiatric evaluation if necessary. They also intend to apply for an arrest warrant after investigating the motive and detailed circumstances of the incident.