INCHEON — Choi Chung-rak, 59, who was arrested on suspicion of stabbing and wounding 10 people at a large commercial complex in Incheon, has been referred to prosecutors.
The Namdong Police Station in Incheon said on the 23rd that it had transferred Choi, who was detained on charges of attempted murder and carrying a knife in a public place, to prosecutors while remaining in custody.
As he left the Namdong Police Station ahead of the transfer, Choi gave no response to reporters' questions, including why he had chosen a crowded location for the attack and whether he had considered targeting children.
When asked repeatedly whether he had anything to say about a victim who remains unconscious, he replied, "I am sorry to the innocent victims." Asked who he considered the innocent victims to be, he said, "Everyone who was there."
Choi was arrested at the scene on an emergency warrant at about 1:48 p.m. on the 13th of this month on suspicion of attempting to kill 10 people by stabbing them with a knife at the see&see commercial building in Guwol-dong, Namdong-gu, Incheon. Eight of the victims were injured, while the other two were found to be unhurt. One of the injured, a 19-year-old woman, remains unconscious.
Police sought a detention warrant for Choi, citing concerns that he might flee. On the 16th of this month, the Incheon District Court held a pre-detention hearing and issued the warrant, saying there was a risk of flight. Police continued their investigation and on the same day convened a committee on the disclosure of personal information, releasing Choi's name, age and mug shot.