Disturbance in Central Library on May 2, No Injuries Reported
Weapon Found in Bag After Arrest
A man in his 40s has been arrested after wielding a telescopic baton and causing a disturbance at the Xi Jinping Collection Room inside the Central Library of Seoul National University in Gwanak-gu, Seoul.
On May 6, the Gwanak Police Station in Seoul announced that an arrest warrant for the man, identified as Mr. A, who is in his 40s, was issued on May 4. He is facing charges of special intimidation, special assault, and possession of a weapon in a public place.
Mr. A is accused of entering the "Xi Jinping Donated Books Collection Room" on the 4th floor of the Seoul National University Central Library in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, at around 12:15 p.m. on May 2, and causing a commotion by shouting, "Why is there a Xi Jinping Collection Room at Seoul National University?" while swinging a telescopic baton. It was also reported that he made statements such as, "This collection room should be closed."
Police, responding to a report, apprehended Mr. A at the scene. A weapon was also found in his bag. No one was injured and no property was damaged by the baton he wielded. During further investigation, police determined that Mr. A had used a dangerous object in a manner that could be considered assault, and thus applied the charge of special assault. At the time of the incident, Mr. A was not under the influence of alcohol and was not affiliated with Seoul National University.
The Seoul National University Central Library established the Xi Jinping Collection Room in 2015, during the Park Geun-hye administration, to exhibit the guestbook signed by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit and the books he donated. During his visit to Seoul National University in July 2014, President Xi promised to donate books and audiovisual materials related to China. Subsequently, the Central Library received over 10,000 items and opened the "Xi Jinping Donated Books Collection Room" in October 2015.
In connection with this, Representative Na Kyungwon of the People Power Party called for the closure of the Xi Jinping Collection Room at Seoul National University last month. Representative Na pointed out, "There is not a single collection room dedicated to former presidents such as Syngman Rhee or Park Chung-hee at Seoul National University," and added, "There are no collection rooms for other global leaders either, so the existence of only a Xi Jinping Collection Room is evidence of China's sharp power?manipulative foreign policy."
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