‘8 people injured’ Incheon knife attack suspect’s personal information revealed… Choi Chung-rak, 59 years old (general)

(Incheon = Yonhap News) Reporter = The personal information of Choi Chung-rak (59), who injured eight citizens by swinging a weapon at a large commercial facility in Incheon, was released on the 16th.

The Incheon Police Agency held a Personal Information Disclosure Deliberation Committee this afternoon and released the name, age, and face photo (mugshot) of Choi Chung-rak, who was arrested on charges of attempted murder and possession of a weapon in a public place.

The committee, comprised of three internal members who are police officers and four external experts, including lawyers, held a closed-door meeting and decided that this case met the requirements for disclosure of personal information stipulated in the law.

The police explained, "The crime was brutal and serious damage was caused, and sufficient evidence was secured," and "We unanimously decided to disclose the person's identity as it was judged to meet requirements such as public interest."

Accordingly, Choi Choong-rak's personal information will be posted on the Incheon Police Agency website from this day to the 16th of next month.

According to the Act on Disclosure of Personal Information of Suspects of Specific Serious Crimes, personal information may be disclosed when the crime of the suspect is sufficiently proven in a case where the means of the crime was cruel and serious damage occurred.

This is a case in which the public's right to know is guaranteed, as well as the public interest, such as preventing suspects from reoffending and crime prevention, and the victim's will must be comprehensively taken into consideration.

Choi Chung-rak is accused of attempting to kill 10 customers by stabbing them at the See&See building, a large commercial facility in Guwol-dong, Namdong-gu, Incheon, which houses a large supermarket and a movie theater, at 1:48 p.m. on the 13th.

Of these victims, eight, including an unconscious 19-year-old woman, were classified as injured, while two others were unharmed.

In a police investigation, he claimed, "I was dissatisfied with the hospital where I was treated for my skin disease, and the hospital reported it, which led to a police investigation. I wanted to publicize (my complaint) to society, so I committed the crime to make news."

It is known that Choi Chung-rak has 10 criminal convictions, including two attempted murders, that have resulted in a fine or higher.