"Concerns Over Murder Threat Posts Acting as Catalysts for Criminal Behavior"

Lee Yunho, Chair Professor of Police Science, CBS Radio Interview
"Must Recognize Murder Threat Posts as Criminal Acts"

Following the stabbing rampages near Sillim Station in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, and Seohyeon Station in Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi Province, a series of murder threat posts have been appearing online. A crime expert pointed out that "there is a need to recognize these acts as crimes comparable to terrorism."

On the 7th, Lee Yun-ho, Chair Professor of the Department of Police Science at Korea Cyber University, appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and commented on the arrest of 54 individuals who posted murder threats as of the previous day, saying, "This is extremely serious."

He stated, "Police and fire personnel have to be dispatched due to these murder threats, which wastes emergency resources that are truly needed elsewhere," adding, "This creates a serious problem where the public becomes more vulnerable."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Professor Lee explained that the murder threat posts strongly involve a copycat psychology. He said, "Because newspapers, broadcasts, the National Police Agency chief, and even the Prosecutor General show great interest in these posts, the perpetrators feel they are receiving attention and becoming famous, which fosters a misguided sense of heroism and reckless bravado," adding, "This malicious desire for display is further encouraged, which likely promotes more learning of such behavior."

He expressed concern that murder threat posts and prior criminal incidents could act as catalysts for criminal behavior. He said, "I think they may ignite the anger and anxiety latent within certain individuals," and "They stimulate existing impulses and reinforce motives for crimes. Therefore, small incidents, such as those at Seohyeon Station, Sillim Station, or the Express Bus Terminal, may have served as a spark."

However, Professor Lee emphasized the need to distinguish between mental disorders and crimes with abnormal motives. He said, "We categorize indiscriminate crimes with abnormal motives into reality frustration type, mental disorder type, and chronic anger type," adding, "While there may be a connection between people with mental disorders and these indiscriminate abnormal motive crimes, it is necessary to be cautious about equating the two."

He continued, "Not all people with mental illnesses become criminals, nor are all criminals mentally ill," and "Most mental illnesses can be managed with treatment."

Furthermore, regarding prevention of indiscriminate crimes, Professor Lee advised, "The best approach is to avoid the situation and leave the scene, which is the easiest and safest action," adding, "Next, it is good to seek help from those around you. Confronting an assailant wielding a weapon at the scene requires careful consideration."

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