INCHEON, South Korea | Eight people were injured in a stabbing attack at a shopping complex in Incheon on Tuesday, October 13, with one victim suffering cardiac arrest, as authorities launched an investigation into the suspect’s background and the effectiveness of South Korea’s electronic monitoring system for convicted offenders.
According to South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency, the 59-year-old suspect allegedly attacked shoppers at about 1:40 p.m. at a commercial building housing a Homeplus supermarket in Namdong District, west of Seoul. He reportedly had knives fastened to both hands and moved from the store’s second basement level toward the upper floors, attacking people along the way.
Shoppers managed to subdue the suspect before police arrested him. All eight victims were taken to hospitals. One woman in her 20s underwent surgery after arriving in cardiac arrest, according to reports from the Incheon fire department. Authorities had not confirmed any fatalities in the latest reports.
The suspect was reportedly carrying a substantial quantity of drugs and told police he had taken drugs at the time of the attack, Yonhap reported. Investigators were questioning him to establish the motive and circumstances of the incident.
Police also confirmed that the suspect was wearing an electronic ankle monitor linked to a previous conviction for attempted murder. He had served a four-year prison sentence after attempting to kill his former wife in 2015 and was released in 2019. His monitoring order was scheduled to remain in effect until February 2029.
The Justice Ministry apologized for the incident and pledged to review its electronic monitoring and supervision system, according to Yonhap. Acting National Police Agency chief Kim Jong-chul also ordered a thorough investigation and stronger preventive measures against violent crime in crowded public places.
The attack adds to concerns over public safety following several high-profile stabbing incidents in South Korea in recent years. In 2023, separate attacks in Seoul and other areas left people dead and injured, prompting authorities to strengthen security measures and crack down on violent crime.
Although South Korea generally records a relatively low homicide rate compared with many countries, the recurring incidents have intensified public concern about attacks in public spaces. Investigators have yet to establish the motive for Tuesday’s assault, and authorities are expected to examine how the suspect was supervised before the attack.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
