Man in His 40s Arrested for Wielding Weapon at Yanghwa Hangang Park

On the afternoon of the 27th, the last day of the Chuseok holiday, a man in his 40s, identified as A, was arrested after wielding a weapon and threatening passersby near Yanghwa Hangang Park in Seoul. The Seoul Yeongdeungpo Police Station announced the same day that A was arrested on charges of carrying a dangerous weapon in a public place. A shouted while brandishing the weapon on the street and then attempted to enter a nearby cafe, putting about 15 people—including passersby and those inside the cafe—at risk of danger. However, the owner locked the doors and windows and immediately reported the incident to the police, and fortunately no one was injured.

B, a witness in his 30s, said, "I was having coffee with my two children at an outdoor cafe when I suddenly heard a loud noise and people murmuring." He continued, "When I turned around, a man was swinging a knife and shouting at people nearby. I was startled and took refuge inside the cafe, and other people outside came in as well." He added, "As people around him fled, the man came to the cafe and tried to open the doors and windows by banging on them, but they were locked. He then ran off again with the knife toward nearby vehicles."

Police are investigating the exact circumstances of the crime and the reason A was carrying the weapon. They plan to decide whether to seek an arrest warrant depending on the results of the investigation.