Ministry of Justice Apologizes over 'Incheon Stabbing Rampage': "Comprehensive Review of Electronic Monitoring System"

The Ministry of Justice announced on the 13th that it "deeply apologizes for causing great concern to the public" over a stabbing rampage at a large commercial complex in Incheon by a man in his 50s wearing an electronic ankle monitor.

The ministry said, "We view this incident with the utmost seriousness and are conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the incident and the entire process of managing electronic monitoring (supervision of people wearing electronic ankle monitors)." It added, "We will comprehensively review the guidance and supervision system for electronic monitoring and swiftly prepare necessary institutional improvements and supplementary measures."

A man in his 50s went on a stabbing spree at a large commercial complex in Namdong-gu, Incheon, on the afternoon of the 13th, injuring eight visitors. The photo shows the suspect captured on CCTV in the second-floor restaurant area. Yonhap News Agency.

The ministry said, "We will focus all our efforts on preventing similar incidents from happening again, making the lives and safety of the public our top priority," and added, "Once again, we extend our deepest condolences to the victims and their families."

The ministry said that 59-year-old Mr. A, who wielded a weapon against random members of the public at a large commercial complex in Guwol-dong, Namdong-gu, Incheon, had been under electronic monitoring since 2019, had complied with guidance and supervision, and had continued to receive psychiatric treatment. It also said he had not reoffended during that period.

However, he had been booked on suspicion of possessing a weapon after using one to punch a hole in a placard he was carrying while holding a one-person protest outside a hospital with which he had been in conflict.

The ministry said it "had been providing treatment for alcohol addiction and psychological counseling to alleviate (Mr. A's) psychiatric symptoms."

Investigators found that Mr. A had received addiction counseling from an outside expert for an hour starting at 10 a.m. that day, about four hours before the crime. The Ministry of Justice said a probation officer also met with Mr. A for 35 minutes at around 11:20 a.m. to check whether he had taken his psychiatric medication, then had lunch with him and supervised him until around 12:30 p.m. Mr. A is reported to have taken his psychiatric medication.

The ministry further said that, in connection with the incident, Mr. A had never tried to damage his electronic ankle monitor or violated any of his restrictions.

Mr. A was arrested on suspicion of injuring eight visitors by wielding a weapon at a large commercial complex in Guwol-dong, Namdong-gu, Incheon, at around 1:40 p.m. that day.

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