'Seoul Station Weapon Rampage Threat' 30s Male Subject to Court-Ordered Psychiatric Evaluation

A man in his 30s who was sentenced to 10 months in prison in the first trial for posting a message predicting a knife rampage at Seoul Station requested a psychiatric evaluation at the first hearing of the appeal trial.

Seoul Northern District Court building. Photo by Asia Economy

At the hearing held on the 4th at the Seoul Northern District Court Criminal Appeal Division 4 (Chief Judge Lee Tae-woong), the defendant Bae (33) stated, "I applied for a psychiatric evaluation in the first trial but withdrew it, and I hope to apply again in the second trial."

Bae is accused of posting a message on an online community on May 22 stating, "I will carry out a knife rampage at Seoul Station on the 24th," and obstructing police duties.

It was investigated that Bae has committed multiple crimes in the past, with more than 10 prior convictions. The prosecution demanded a three-year prison sentence in the first trial, but the court sentenced him to 10 months in prison.