Psychological Support Booth Set Up at Site of Incheon Knife Attack

The city of Incheon and Namdong District will operate a psychological support booth near the scene of a knife attack that occurred on the 13th at a large commercial facility in Guwol-dong, Namdong District, to help citizens suffering psychological harm, running it through the 23rd. At the booth, visitors can sit down with professional counselors to talk through their emotional wounds, free of charge. Mental health specialists and psychological counseling experts will be on site to provide one-on-one counseling. The 'Mind Relief Bus,' a mobile mental health counseling vehicle, will also be stationed on a roadside near the commercial facility from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. between the 19th and 23rd.

Eligibility is not limited to those who directly witnessed the incident or the merchants affected. Any local resident experiencing psychological trauma from merely hearing the news may visit the booth or bus. Citizens classified as high-risk during counseling will be referred to the Namdong District Mental Health Welfare Center for follow-up care.

Support for victims is also being arranged. The city of Incheon plans to provide customized support for victims in cooperation with the Incheon Crime Victim Support Center. In a Facebook post on the 15th, Incheon Mayor Park Chan-dae stated, "We are pursuing support tailored to each victim's situation, including medical expenses, living costs, legal aid, and psychological treatment." He added, "We are also considering additional medical expense support for those whose treatment is prolonged." Mayor Park emphasized, "We will examine whether existing systems and support measures are actually helping the victims and correct any shortcomings," pledging that support would not be delayed.