'Bundang Hwatu Dispute' 2 Neighbors in Their 60s Murdered... Police Released Suspect Despite "Knife Present" Report (Comprehensive)

Police Chief, "Confirming Whether Response Was Appropriate... Actions Will Follow Based on Results"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] A man in his 60s in Bundang, Gyeonggi Province, was arrested on suspicion of killing two neighboring residents in their 70s after a dispute while playing Hwatu. It was confirmed that the suspect threatened the victims with a weapon just before the crime and was arrested by the police but later released.

According to the police on the 21st, the Bundang Police Station in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, arrested and is investigating Mr. A (69) on suspicion of killing two women in their 70s who were neighbors after a dispute while playing Hwatu at an apartment in Geumgok-dong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam City, Gyeonggi Province, on the afternoon of the 19th.

Before the crime, Mr. A reported illegal gambling, but when the police who arrived withdrew due to lack of evidence, he called the police again saying, "I am holding a knife." The police who went to the victims' house arrested Mr. A on the spot for special intimidation, but he was released around 11:20 p.m. because he admitted to the charges and had a fixed residence, so there was no need for detention.

About 40 minutes after being released, around midnight, Mr. A went back to the victims' place carrying a soju bottle and a weapon, and the next day at around 7:50 a.m., the victims were found stabbed to death. The police arrested Mr. A on suspicion of murder about an hour after neighbors reported the incident. The police plan to apply for an arrest warrant for Mr. A after investigating the motive and circumstances of the crime.

Meanwhile, the police are also reviewing whether the initial response to the report was properly handled. At a press conference that day, Police Chief Kim Chang-ryong said, "We are verifying the facts regarding whether the police's initial report, investigation, and release measures were appropriate overall," and added, "We will take action based on the results."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.