Five Citizens Honored for Subduing Suspect in Incheon Mall Stabbings
Police in Incheon have recognized five people who helped restrain a knife-wielding suspect accused of attacking 10 people at a shopping mall, including a 19-year-old woman who remains unconscious.
Five citizens who helped stop a knife-wielding attacker at a shopping mall in Incheon have received bravery awards from the city’s police agency, recognition for an intervention that authorities say helped prevent further violence.
The Incheon Police Agency presented each of the five with a cash reward at a ceremony held quietly on Monday and disclosed the recognition on Tuesday. Police identified two of the recipients as Shin Jung-hyun, 23, and Na Hyun-jun, 31. Shin threw a chair at the attacker as part of the effort to bring him under control, while Na also helped subdue the suspect and prevent additional attacks.
The three other recipients were recognized for assisting with the arrest, including by keeping the suspect restrained at the scene until authorities could take control. Their actions have also prompted consideration of further official recognition. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the National Police Agency are reportedly reviewing whether to present the five with government honors.
Incheon Mayor Park Chan-dae had earlier publicly thanked the citizens for risking their lives to stop the assailant and limit the harm. In a social media message, Park said he had requested that awards be considered at the national government level.
The suspect, identified as 59-year-old Choi Chung-rak, was arrested following the October 13 attack. He is accused of stabbing and attempting to kill 10 people at the mall. Eight victims suffered physical injuries. One of them, a 19-year-old woman, remains unconscious.
The police awards place the focus on bystanders whose direct response became part of the emergency intervention. According to the account released by authorities, their roles went beyond calling for help: they confronted the armed suspect, aided in bringing him down and maintained restraint so that the arrest could be completed.
The prospect of government honors would extend that recognition beyond the local police ceremony. No final decision on those additional awards was announced. The criminal case against Choi follows his arrest, while the condition of the seriously injured victim underscores the lasting consequences of the attack despite the citizens’ efforts to prevent further violence.