Teenager Flees Namwon Police Holding Cell, Caught Within 10 Minutes

A teenage suspect detained at a police station in Jeonbuk Province managed to escape while guards were lax, but was recaptured about 10 minutes later.

According to the Namwon Police Station yesterday (August 10), a teenager identified as A fled from the holding cell at the Namwon Police Station at 2:46 p.m. that day.

A had come out of the holding cell into the hallway to read a book, and upon seeing that the entrance to the holding area was open, seized the opportunity to escape.

The officer in charge of managing the holding cell spotted A running outside and gave chase while shouting. Hearing the commotion, another staff member joined the pursuit and apprehended A near the police station at 2:56 p.m.

It was confirmed that the holding cell manager had briefly left the entrance door open to allow access.

With a detained suspect managing to escape from a holding cell, Jeonbuk police are now facing criticism over poor facility management.

In April, at the Iksan Police Station, a suspect in their 50s detained in a holding cell attempted suicide while an officer was using a smartphone, resulting in three officers receiving reprimands.

In January, at the Buan Police Station, a suspect being interrogated ingested medication while the investigator went to get water and was rushed to the hospital, after which two investigators in charge received official warnings.

Police are currently conducting an internal inspection regarding the incident.

(Photo provided by Jeonbuk Provincial Police Agency, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.