Acting National Police Agency Chief Holds Video Conference with Police Chiefs Nationwide over 'Incheon Stabbing'

Strengthen response, including deploying police at crowded locations
Plans to inspect the "scene of the Incheon incident" after meeting

The acting chief of the National Police Agency convened a meeting of metropolitan and provincial police chiefs following a stabbing incident in Incheon.

On the 13th, people injured in a stabbing at a large commercial complex in Guwol-dong, Namdong-gu, Incheon, are being transported to a hospital. Yonhap News.

Kim Jongcheol, acting chief of the National Police Agency, received a briefing on the knife rampage in Namdong-gu, Incheon, on October 13 and held an emergency meeting of bureau chiefs. At around 5:30 p.m., he then received a report from Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Yoo Seungryeol during a video conference with police chiefs from across the country, covering the outline of the incident and the investigation and response. Kim instructed Yoo to swiftly and rigorously investigate the motive and other circumstances of the crime, while ensuring that victims receive full protection and support.

He also instructed commanders, including metropolitan and provincial police chiefs, to step up efforts to prevent violent crimes, including by deploying sufficient police personnel at crowded locations. He called for a full-scale response to prevent similar crimes, including proactive enforcement against carrying weapons in public places and online posts threatening similar crimes.

After the video conference, Kim plans to visit the scene in Incheon to inspect the response there.

A National Police Agency official said, "Later this week, the agency plans to hold a meeting of bureau chiefs on this incident and review legal and institutional shortcomings related to preventing violent crimes and responding to crimes involving personal relationships, as well as consider ways to address them."

An injured person receives emergency treatment after a stabbing at a large commercial complex in Guwol-dong, Namdong-gu, Incheon, on the 13th. Yonhap News Agency.

Earlier that day, at around 1:49 p.m., police received a report of a knife rampage at the commercial complex. A 59-year-old man identified as A was reportedly subdued by another visitor after riding an escalator from the basement, where a large supermarket is located, up to the second and third floors, where other stores are located, while swinging a weapon at random people.

So far, eight visitors have suffered moderate or minor injuries, and all have been taken to hospitals for treatment. Another member of the public had their clothing torn, and police are working to identify any additional victims.

A was wearing an electronic monitoring device (ankle monitor) due to a previous crime and had recently been booked on suspicion of possessing a weapon, according to police. A also told police that he had been under the influence of drugs at the time of the crime. Police plan to request testing to determine whether the substance was a psychotropic drug.

Namdong Police Station in Incheon plans to seek an arrest warrant for A on suspicion of attempted murder.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.