Professor Injured After 50-Something Woman Goes on Knife Rampage at Severance Hospital

On the afternoon of the 4th, a woman in her 50s, identified only as Ms. A, wielded a weapon in a consultation room at Severance Hospital in Sinchon, Seodaemun District, Seoul, injuring a professor of psychiatry. According to police, the professor suffered a cut wound of about 5 centimeters and was taken to the emergency room for treatment. The injuries were confirmed not to be life-threatening.

Although Ms. A was not waiting for a consultation at the time of the incident, she had reportedly received treatment from the professor twice, in 2013 and 2017. Witness Mr. Cho, in his 70s, testified that Ms. A pushed past patients waiting in line, entered the consultation room first, and shouted, "I won't let this go today," followed by screams.

Hospital staff restrained Ms. A immediately after the attack. Police who responded to the report arrested her on the spot at 4:42 p.m. on charges of aggravated assault. Police are also considering applying attempted murder charges. Ms. A has refused to make statements during police questioning, and police plan to investigate the motive and circumstances of the attack.