Choi Chung-rak, 59, who injured eight people in a stabbing spree at a large commercial facility in Incheon, had participated in an addiction management program up until three hours before the attack. However, health authorities failed to identify any warning signs beforehand. Choi had previously been charged with possession of a weapon prior to the incident, but this information was not communicated to the center.
According to data received by Democratic Party lawmaker Heo Jong-sik from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Choi registered for the program at the Integrated Support Center for Addiction Management in Incheon’s Gyeyang District just four days after being released from prison in February 2019, where he had served time for attempted murder.
Since 2021, Choi had actively participated in the program, attending counseling sessions two to three times a week over the past five years. On the day of the stabbing, October 13, he attended a motivational enhancement program at the center around 10 a.m. and had a meeting with the center director just three hours before the attack.
However, health authorities were unaware that Choi had been charged with possession of a weapon in a public place while staging a one-person protest outside a hospital. The Ministry of Health and Welfare stated to Heo's office that there is no procedure for police to notify the center of such charges, which led to the oversight. During a counseling session on September 21, Choi claimed he was being investigated by police for obstructing hospital operations.
The center reported that Choi had participated in a total of 68 individual and group counseling sessions over the four months leading up to the attack, asserting that he had maintained sobriety for three years and six months and showed no signs of crisis while regularly attending the program. During the morning meeting on the day of the attack, staff observed that Choi communicated stably with both employees and other members, indicating no signs of distress.
Choi is known to have a criminal record that includes two counts of attempted murder and a total of ten offenses resulting in fines or more severe penalties. Despite being charged with weapon possession prior to the attack, neither the police, the Ministry of Justice, nor the Ministry of Health and Welfare were able to identify any warning signs of his impending actions.
In light of this incident, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has expressed intentions to explore methods for early identification of mental health risk groups using health insurance data.
Heo stated, “If it is confirmed that a participant in the center's program has engaged in specific risky behaviors, such as weapon possession, it is necessary to share information within a minimal scope. We will establish standards and procedures among agencies to ensure that this leads to professional evaluation and support.”
Choi is accused of attempting to kill ten people by stabbing them with a weapon secured with tape to both hands at the C&C building in Guwol-dong, Namdong District, Incheon, which houses a large supermarket and cinema, at approximately 1:48 p.m. on October 13.
During police questioning, Choi reportedly stated that he committed the act to draw social attention to his grievances, claiming he did not target specific individuals but chose those who appeared weaker than himself.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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