Police: "Support for Victims' Recovery"
Child Welfare Groups: "Constitutes Emotional Abuse"
In Response to Questions About Motive: "Don't Try to Find Out"
The tragic incident that began with the sound of gunfire involved a total of six people: a man in his 60s, identified as Mr. A, who is both the father and the perpetrator; his son, Mr. B, and Mr. B's wife; their two grandchildren; and an acquaintance. Notably, when Mr. A killed his son with a homemade firearm, the two young grandchildren witnessed the entire act.
On July 22, Yonhap News, citing a police statement, reported that on July 20, when Mr. A (62) fired a homemade shotgun at his son, Mr. B (33), in an apartment in Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, the two grandchildren were present. The grandchildren, aged 9 and 5, escaped harm by quickly fleeing to the master bedroom with their mother immediately after the incident. However, it has been reported that they have since shown ongoing symptoms of anxiety.
At the time, Mr. B was fatally shot in the chest with metal ball-shaped projectiles, and the home, which had been hosting a birthday celebration for Mr. A, was thrown into chaos in an instant. Mr. B's wife, who also witnessed the crime, was so traumatized that she reportedly fainted, but she is now focusing on caring for her children and regaining stability. A police official stated, "Given the circumstances of the crime, we believe psychological support for the bereaved family is absolutely necessary," adding, "We have assigned a police officer dedicated to victim protection."
In a press briefing the previous day, the police stated, "We will do our utmost to provide psychological treatment and support to help the victim's wife and two children overcome their trauma." The police plan to offer comprehensive support to the bereaved family, including financial assistance for funeral and medical expenses, as well as professional crime scene cleaning and psychological counseling for the victims.
Child welfare organizations and experts have called for strict punishment and systematic psychological support for the victims, emphasizing that Mr. A inflicted irreversible psychological trauma on his young grandchildren. Gong Hyejeong, head of the Korean Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse, pointed out, "Mr. A's actions clearly constitute emotional abuse under the Child Welfare Act," and warned that "severe trauma is a serious concern." Lee Wanjeong, a professor of child psychology at Inha University, stressed, "The children witnessed a situation that would be difficult even for adults to endure," and added, "Support from relevant agencies is essential to help them process the sensory shock and restore their social relationships."
The photo shows explosives found at the suspect's residence in Dobong-gu, Seoul. Photo by Incheon Police Agency, Yonhap News.
Under the Child Welfare Act, emotional abuse is defined as acts that harm a child's mental health and development, including emotional threats or cruel acts by adults toward children. Causing a child to witness violence within the family is also classified as emotional abuse, and violators may face up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won.
Meanwhile, during police questioning, Mr. A stated, "I learned how to make firearms on YouTube and had purchased the ammunition 20 years ago, storing it in a warehouse," and added, "There were ongoing family conflicts." However, when asked for details about these family conflicts, he reportedly replied, "Don't try to find out." The police have deployed profilers to conduct a thorough analysis of Mr. A's mental state and motives for the crime.
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