Police Operate Dedicated Team for Knife Rampage Victims, Provide Psychological and Financial Support

The Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency said on Nov. 5 that it is continuing to provide comprehensive support to victims of the knife rampage allegedly carried out by Choi Chungrak, 59, at a large commercial facility.

Immediately after the incident, police formed a “metropolitan victim support team” consisting of 12 officers and assigned a dedicated officer to each of the 10 victims. The officers continue to check on the victims’ conditions, progress in their treatment, and difficulties in their daily lives.

Choi Chung-rak, suspect in the knife attack at a large commercial facility in Incheon. Yonhap News

Three days after the incident, police connected all the victims with relevant agencies so they could receive emergency relief funds, emergency living and safety assistance, living expenses, and medical expenses. Police also deployed mental health specialists, who provided 65 crisis intervention counseling sessions for 16 people, including victims and their families.

Police provided temporary accommodation and food to three people, including family members of a 19-year-old female victim who was left in critical condition. They also connected them with emergency housing cost assistance.

In particular, the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency plans to provide 20 million won to eight victims from the “Hope Guardian” fund, raised through voluntary donations from agency employees and designated donations from private donors.

Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Yoo Seung-ryeol said, “Protecting crime victims must not end with a one-time measure. It is an important responsibility of the police to continue supporting them until they can return to their everyday lives in full. We will carefully attend to the difficulties victims face and stand by them until they have healed.”

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