Exclusive: "Complained About Cigarette Smoke" Claim Likely Delusional... No Internal Manual at Korail

According to SBS reporting, the male station employee who slashed and seriously injured a female coworker with a weapon at Wondang Station on Seoul Subway Line 3 in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, on October 28 made statements based on delusions during police questioning.

Previously, the suspect in his 30s, identified as A, stated, "On the day of the incident, the victim pointed out that I smelled like cigarette smoke, so I sprayed air freshener on myself. I then got angry and overdoted on the medication I usually take."

However, the investigation revealed that there is no confirmation the victim, B, actually pointed out any cigarette smoke smell to A on the day of the incident.

A police official explained, "It appears the suspect made statements based on delusions."

While it was reported that A suffers from a mental illness, it was also confirmed that Korea Railroad Corporation (Korail) lacked any internal manuals to monitor the health conditions of employees with such issues.

A police official stated, "Korail replied that there is no internal manual to monitor the suspect's condition."

Circumstances suggesting that Korail failed to comply with recruitment standards were also detected.

A joined Korail's clerical and sales job category in 2024 through a restricted competitive recruitment process for persons with disabilities.

According to the recruitment announcement at the time, individuals with "personality, behavioral, or mental disorders to the extent that they cannot adapt to work" could be disqualified through initial physical examinations and subsequent regular checkups.

In response to an SBS inquiry asking whether employee management, such as regular checkups after recruitment, was conducted for A, Korail answered, "It has been confirmed that the initial physical examination was received at the time of recruitment."

Critics point out that regular management and supervision of A could have prevented the crime.

While investigating A's specific motives, the Gyeonggi Goyang Police Station plans to forward A to the prosecutors with detention on charges of attempted murder tomorrow (November 6).
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.