Incheon police pay arrest rewards to 5 citizens who subdued knife attacker
In short
Incheon police paid arrest rewards to five citizens who helped subdue Choi Chung-rak (최충락), 59, after a knife attack at a large commercial building in Incheon on the 13th. Police held the ceremony quietly because one victim is still unconscious. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the National Police Agency are reportedly considering a separate government award.
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The Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency said on the 20th that it paid arrest rewards to five citizens who helped subdue Choi Chung-rak, 59, who is suspected of attacking customers with a knife at a large commercial building in Incheon. The payment was made the day before. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]
Shin Jung-hyeon, 23, threw a chair and directly subdued Choi, and Na Hyeon-jun, 31, helped stop the attack and the subduing, according to Yonhap, Kukmin Ilbo, Dong-A Ilbo, Newsis and Maeil Business. Newsis said Shin threw the chair in the fourth-floor cinema. The other three were recognised for helping to hold Choi so he could not move. Chosun Ilbo named a restaurant merchant, Shin In-su, 65, among the recipients and said a restaurant customer and another merchant were also included. Kyunghyang Shinmun said the citizens threw chairs, pressed down on Choi, took the knife and handed him to police. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]
Kyunghyang Shinmun reported that three recipients got 5 million won each and two got 3 million won each, while Chosun Ilbo said 3 to 5 million won was paid. Shin In-su told Chosun Ilbo he hoped such a thing never happens again and that the injured recover quickly. [ 6 , 7 ]
Police held the ceremony quietly and did not announce it, saying a victim is still being treated while unconscious. Kyunghyang Shinmun described the victim as a 19-year-old woman who had been unconscious for eight days. Newsis said the ceremony was held at the Incheon police agency in Namdong-gu and was closed to the public. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the National Police Agency are reportedly considering a government award separate from the reward. Incheon Mayor Park Chan-dae wrote on Facebook that the citizens' actions prevented greater harm and that he had asked for a government award. Newsis said the post was made on the day of the attack and addressed to President Lee Jae-myung; Kyunghyang Shinmun said he asked for awards such as a Brave Citizen Award. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]
Choi is suspected of trying to kill 10 customers by stabbing them at about 1:48 pm on the 13th at the See&See building in Guwol-dong, Namdong-gu, which houses a large supermarket and a cinema. Newsis, Kyunghyang Shinmun and Chosun Ilbo said he has been detained. Newsis said police plan to send his case to the prosecutors' office this week. Most outlets said eight of the 10 were injured, including a 19-year-old woman, and two were unhurt; Chosun Ilbo gave seven injured plus the woman in serious condition, and Kyunghyang Shinmun said 10 were injured. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]
Why it matters
The outlets report that the interior ministry and national police are considering a government award on top of the reward, after Incheon's mayor asked for one. Police chose a low-key ceremony out of consideration for a victim who remains unconscious.
Key facts
- The Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency said on the 20th that it paid arrest rewards to five citizens who helped subdue Choi Chung-rak; the payment was made the day before. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]
- Shin Jung-hyeon (신중현), 23, threw a chair and directly subdued Choi; Na Hyeon-jun (나현준), 31, helped stop the attack and the subduing. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 8 ]
- Police held the ceremony quietly, without announcing it, because a victim is still being treated while unconscious. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]
- The Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the National Police Agency are reportedly considering a government award separate from the reward. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]
- Choi is suspected of trying to kill 10 customers by stabbing them at a commercial building in Guwol-dong, Namdong-gu, Incheon, at about 1:48 pm on the 13th. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Police paid arrest rewards to five citizens who helped subdue Choi Chung-rak, according to the Incheon police agency. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]
- The five included Shin Jung-hyeon, who threw a chair, and Na Hyeon-jun, who helped stop the attack. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 8 ]
- The ministry and national police are considering a government award in addition to the reward. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]
- Incheon Mayor Park Chan-dae said on Facebook that the citizens prevented greater harm and that he had asked for a government award. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 8 ]
- Choi is suspected of attempted murder of 10 people at the commercial building on the 13th; a 19-year-old woman was among the victims. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 7 , 8 ]
Still unclear
- How many people were injured in the attack. Yonhap, Kukmin Ilbo, Newsis and Maeil Business say eight were injured and two were not; Chosun Ilbo says seven were injured plus a 19-year-old woman in serious condition, with two threatened but unhurt; Kyunghyang Shinmun says Choi injured 10 people.
- The size of each reward. Kyunghyang Shinmun says three recipients received 5 million won each and two received 3 million won each; Chosun Ilbo says 3 to 5 million won; the other outlets give no amounts.
- Whether the government award will be given. Outlets say only that the ministry and national police are reviewing it.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- On the 13th, Choi is suspected of stabbing customers at the commercial building in Guwol-dong. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]
- On the 20th, Yonhap reports that the five citizens received arrest rewards the day before. [ 1 ]
- Chosun Ilbo reports the police statement on the payment, including remarks from recipient Shin In-su. [ 7 ]