A man in his 70s accused of wielding a weapon at Ilmin Museum of Art in Jongno District, Seoul, has been arrested and detained.
According to legal sources on the 28th, Seoul Central District Court warrant judge Park Chan-beom issued an arrest warrant for a man in his 70s, identified as A, on attempted murder charges during a pretrial detention hearing (substantive warrant review) that began at 2 p.m. the same day, saying there were concerns about destruction of evidence and flight.
Earlier, at about 1 p.m. that day, A arrived in front of the court in a transport vehicle, with a cast on his right foot. Before entering the substantive warrant review, A did not answer reporters' questions such as how he felt and whether he had anything to say to the victim.
A is accused of stabbing an acquaintance in his 40s, identified as B, with a sickle at Ilmin Museum of Art at about 7:47 a.m. on the 26th, injuring the victim.
According to police, A fled immediately after the crime by taking a taxi and passing through Samgakji in Yongsan District and Noryangjin in Dongjak District. He was then urgently arrested at about 5:47 p.m. on the 26th, about 10 hours after the incident, at an acquaintance's residence in Gwanak District.
Police confirmed indications that A prepared arson before wielding the weapon and additionally applied the charge of preparing for arson, requesting an arrest warrant on the 27th.
Before the incident, A performed cleaning-related work around the DONG-A ILBO headquarters building, and victim B also worked in the building but was said to have recently submitted a letter of resignation.