Police in Seoul sought an arrest warrant for a man accused of a stabbing spree at an office that killed one victim. The suspect, surnamed Jo, had been dismissed over sexual assault allegations and may have acted out of grudge. The other two victims are recovering in hospitals.
On November 5, the Gangdong Police Station in Seoul filed an arrest warrant for a man in his 60s surnamed Jo on murder charges. Jo is accused of stabbing three people—two women in their 50s and 60s, and a man in his 70s—in the neck at the office of a redevelopment cooperative in Cheonho-dong, Gangdong Ward, the previous day, resulting in the death of the woman in her 50s at a hospital.
Jo had previously served as the cooperative's chief but was dismissed in July after being investigated for sexually assaulting a female coworker. He was recently summarily indicted. Police are investigating the possibility that Jo committed the attack out of grudge over his dismissal.
Initially charged with attempted murder, the case was upgraded to include murder following the victim's death. Authorities are also considering adding a retaliatory murder charge, which carries a minimum prison sentence of 10 years if convicted. The other two victims sustained neck wounds and are recovering in hospitals.
Police plan to commend two neighbors who assisted in detaining the suspect. The motive remains under investigation.