A man in his 40s who threatened pedestrians with a weapon and attempted to break into a cafe near the Han River Park, where crowds had gathered on the final day of the Chuseok holiday, is facing a critical turning point regarding his arrest.

Judge Kim Ji-hyun, the senior warrant judge at the Seoul Southern District Court, is holding a pre-trial detention hearing (warrant substantive examination) starting at 10:30 a.m. today (the 29th) for a man identified by his surname Chun, who faces charges of carrying a weapon in a public place.

Chun, who appeared at the court at around 9:53 a.m. wearing a black hat, responded to reporters' questions asking why he threatened pedestrians and why he entered the cafe by saying, "I haven't done anything wrong."

Chun is suspected of threatening pedestrians with a weapon around 3:45 p.m. on the 27th near the Yanghwa Hangang Park in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.

As Chun shouted, pedestrians evacuated to a nearby cafe.

Chun attempted to enter the cafe while holding the weapon, but the cafe owner locked the doors and windows and immediately reported the incident to the police, preventing any casualties.

It is reported that around 15 people were inside the cafe taking shelter.

Under the Criminal Act, the crime of carrying a weapon in a public place applies when someone carries a weapon without a justifiable reason in a public area utilized or frequented by the general public, such as roads and parks, and brandishes it to cause anxiety or fear among the public. Offenders are punishable by up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won.

(Photo: Yonhap News)