'Shillim Weapon Rampage' Man in His 30s "Reflecting on Actions"... Appears for Warrant Hearing

Jo Mo, who indiscriminately wielded a bladed weapon against pedestrians in a shopping alley near Sillim Station, is appearing at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 23rd for a pre-arrest detention hearing.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Jo Mo (33), the suspect who fatally stabbed one person with a weapon in broad daylight in downtown Seoul, said on the 23rd, "I committed the crime because I was too overwhelmed" and "I am reflecting on my actions."

Jo made these remarks around 1 p.m. as he left Gwanak Police Station to attend a pre-trial detention hearing. With his eyes closed, he only said "I'm sorry" in response to reporters' questions before getting into the transport vehicle. Judge So Jun-seop of the Seoul Central District Court is scheduled to conduct Jo's detention hearing at 2 p.m. on the same day on charges of murder and attempted murder. The decision on whether to issue the arrest warrant is expected to be made that afternoon.

Jo is accused of stabbing a man in his 20s multiple times with a weapon near the entrance of a shopping alley close to Sillim Station at 2:07 p.m. the previous day, then moving deeper into the alley and wielding the weapon at three men in their 30s. The man in his 20s was transported to the hospital but ultimately died. Jo was arrested on the spot at 2:13 p.m., just six minutes after the initial attack, while sitting on the stairs in front of a nearby sports center. Jo has three prior convictions for assault and has been sent to the juvenile court 14 times. He has no known occupation and is confirmed to have had no prior acquaintance with any of the four victims.

Among the three injured who were taken to the hospital, one has been discharged and is receiving outpatient treatment, while the other two remain hospitalized. The victim initially reported to be in critical condition has passed the most dangerous phase. During earlier police questioning, Jo stated that "I live unhappily, and I wanted to make others unhappy too, so I committed the crime in a rage."

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