Stab Rampage Could Have Been Prevented... Why Was the Metal Detector Turned Off?

[Anchor]

Choi Choong-rak, who went on a stabbing rampage at a multi-use commercial complex in Incheon, has been handed over to the prosecutors' office. It has been revealed that on the day of the crime, Choi visited a probation office while carrying weapons, but the attack could not be prevented in advance because the metal detector was turned off at the time.

Reporter Kwon Min-kyu has the details.

[Reporter]

A man in gray clothes is escorted out by detectives.

This is the moment Choi Choong-rak, who injured 10 people in a stabbing attack at a multi-use commercial complex in Incheon on the 13th, is transferred into custody to the prosecutors' office.

[Choi Choong-rak / Stabbing Suspect: (The victims are unconscious, do you have anything to say?) I am sorry to the innocent victims.]

Since July, Choi had been in conflict with a hospital over side effects from athlete's foot treatment. He staged a one-person protest in front of the hospital and was investigated by police on charges of obstruction of business and carrying a weapon in a public place.

According to the police, Choi was obsessed with delusions that "if the hospital files a damage suit, all my assets will be seized and I am driven to the edge of a cliff."

On the day of the incident, Choi left his house with various weapons in his bag, had a meeting with his probation officer at the probation office, and even had lunch together.

It was found that although a metal detector designed to detect weapons was installed inside the probation office, it was turned off and not working.

Regarding why he chose the multi-use commercial complex as the crime scene, Choi told police that he thought his weapons were exposed while stopping by a university to submit a leave of absence form, prompting him to hastily enter a nearby commercial building.

He stated that he entered the shopping complex and committed the crime while anxiety and nervousness reached their peak, worrying that someone might have reported him to the police.

The police expressed regret, noting that if the metal detector at the probation office had gone off, the weapons might have been confiscated beforehand. However, they stated that it is difficult to apply charges of dereliction of duty for turning off the metal detector for convenience.

The Ministry of Justice released a statement saying, "The metal detector was frequently turned off due to frequent malfunctions and noise," and added, "We will closely inspect the security equipment and operational status of our office buildings."

(Camera Reporter: Yang Hyun-chul, Kim Han-gyul | Video Editor: Kim Jin-won | Designer: Seo Hyun-jung)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.