"Purchased Knuckles 4 Months Before Rape Attempt"… Increased Possibility of Planned Crime by Gwanaksan Sexual Assault Suspect

A man in his 30s who assaulted and sexually assaulted a woman in broad daylight on Gwanaksan Mountain in Seoul has been confirmed to have stated that he purchased knuckles with the intent to commit rape. The police are focusing their investigative efforts on the possibility that this incident was a premeditated crime.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 18th, the Gwanak Police Station in Seoul is investigating Choi (30, male), who was arrested the previous day on charges of rape and injury. During the police investigation, Choi reportedly stated, "I purchased knuckles online four months ago with the intent to commit rape," and "I found the victim at the crime scene, which I frequently visited because it was close to my home, and committed the crime." The police are continuously tracking Choi's movements.

Additionally, based on Choi's statement that he chose the crime location because "I often went there and knew there were no closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras," the police are placing significant weight on the possibility that this was a planned crime and are continuing their investigation accordingly.

Choi departed from his residence in Doksan-dong, Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, at approximately 9:55 a.m. the previous day and arrived at the Gwanaksan Mountain trail at 11:01 a.m. Considering that the report was made at 11:44 a.m., it has been confirmed that Choi committed the crime within less than an hour of arriving. Two blunt instruments, believed to have been used as weapons, were found at the scene. The police secured a statement from Choi that he wore these blunt instruments on both hands and assaulted the victim.

The police are also verifying hospital records following family statements that Choi had received medical treatment for depression but did not continue treatment.

Meanwhile, Choi is accused of assaulting the female victim, A, with a metal tool known as knuckles and then raping her in a forest about 100 meters away from the Gwanaksan Mountain trail at around 11:44 a.m. the previous day. Police who responded to a report from a hiker who heard the victim's screams for help apprehended Choi at the scene. Victim A was transported to a hospital but is reported to be in an unconscious state. It has been confirmed that Choi and A were not acquaintances.

The police are investigating the exact circumstances of the case, including whether Choi dragged the victim after assaulting her before committing the crime. They also plan to examine whether this incident is related to the rapidly spreading "murder threat posts" following the Shinrim-dong stabbing incident. A police official stated, "We are continuing the investigation regarding the specific motive, the reason for selecting the crime location, and the details of the crime." The police plan to apply for an arrest warrant for Choi on charges of rape and injury later this afternoon.

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