Man arrested for stabbing ex-wife who was under police protection

A woman in her 60s was allegedly stabbed by her ex-husband just three days after seeking police protection, news reports said Monday.

According to the Bundang Police Station in Gyeonggi Province, the man, also in his 60s, allegedly waited outside the woman's home in Bundang-gu, Seongnam, at around 8:05 a.m. When she opened the door to leave for work, he allegedly forced his way inside, stabbed her and fled the scene.

Police arrived at the scene upon receiving a report from the woman's family, who had spotted the man on footage from a security camera installed at her front door.

Police officers and emergency responders arrived to find the woman lying on the living room floor, bleeding from her injuries. She was rushed to a hospital, reportedly conscious but unable to communicate. Her current condition remains unknown.

Police later arrested the man in Jungnang-gu, northeastern Seoul, at around 10:19 a.m., approximately two hours after he fled the scene.

The attack occurred just three days after the woman visited a police station with her daughter, expressing fears for her safety after being contacted by the man, whom she had divorced three years earlier.

She requested an emergency smartwatch to alert police in the event of danger, and authorities placed her under a monthlong protection program.

Police believe the man forced his way into the home and attacked the woman before she had a chance to press the smartwatch's emergency button.

An investigation is underway into the motive and circumstances surrounding the attack, as well as whether adequate measures were taken to protect the victim.