"Strangers but Sorry"... Memorial Procession for the Shinlim-dong Stabbing Incident

Even Amid Busy Commute, Footsteps
Filled with Chrysanthemums, Alcohol, Drinks, Food
Over 100 Memorial Post-it Notes

Footsteps of mourning continue for the man in his 20s who died in the ‘random’ stabbing incident in Sillim-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul. Citizens could not hide their shock and anger at the tragic event that occurred in broad daylight.

Chrysanthemums and post-it notes fill the area near Sillim Station in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, in memory of a man in his 20s who died in a stabbing incident.
Photo by Im Chunhan

At around 7 a.m. on the 24th, at the memorial space set up near Exit 4 of Sillim Station, citizens paused for about 1 to 2 minutes to silently pay their respects despite their busy commute. Some brought white chrysanthemums to place on the ground and bowed their heads in silence, with some wiping away tears. The ground was filled with chrysanthemums, alcohol, drinks, food, and umbrellas offered to the deceased. On the wall, about 100 post-it notes were attached with messages such as “Rest peacefully in a good place,” “Deepest condolences to the deceased,” “I didn’t even know you, but I’m sorry,” and “We will strive to create a safer world.”

Office worker Lee Seungho (30) said, “I get off the bus on my way to work and pass by this place every day, and it makes me think that it could have happened to me.” He added, “I watched the footage of the incident, and aside from luckily escaping, I don’t think anyone could have reacted instantly.” University student Kim Youngjun (24) said, “I feel truly upset and devastated after hearing about this incident,” sighing, “It’s so absurd that I have nothing more to say.”

The suspect, Cho (33), was arrested on the 23rd on charges of murder and attempted murder. Judge So Joonseop of the Seoul Central District Court conducted a pretrial detention hearing and issued an arrest warrant, citing concerns that Cho might flee. When leaving the police station for the hearing, Cho told reporters, “I did it because I was too distressed,” and “I am reflecting on my actions.” In front of the courthouse, he added, “It seems I have been in a very bad situation for a long time. I did something terribly wrong,” and “I am just a useless person. I am sorry.”

During police questioning, Cho stated his motive for the crime as, “I live unhappily, so I wanted to make others unhappy too, and I committed the crime in a fit of rage.” Regarding the location of the crime, he said, “I had visited the area several times before with friends to drink, so I knew it was a crowded place and chose it for that reason.”

The police plan to conduct a psychopathy diagnosis on Cho and investigate the detailed circumstances, background, and his actions prior to the crime. They will also decide this week whether to disclose his identity under the Specific Violent Crime Act. Cho has no steady occupation and has a criminal record including three counts of assault and 14 referrals to the juvenile court.

On the afternoon of the 21st at 2:07 p.m., Cho stabbed a man in his 20s multiple times with a weapon at the entrance of an alley near Sillim Station, then moved deeper into the alley and wielded the weapon at three men in their 30s. The man in his 20s was taken to the hospital but ultimately died. Of the three injured, one has been discharged and is receiving outpatient treatment, while the other two remain hospitalized.

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