Police Request Arrest Warrant for Sexual Assault Suspect in Sillim-dong, Seoul... "Charged with Rape and Injury"

The police have requested an arrest warrant for a man in his 30s who assaulted and sexually assaulted a woman in broad daylight on Gwanaksan Mountain in Seoul. The police are focusing their investigative efforts on the possibility that this incident was a premeditated crime.

The Gwanak Police Station in Seoul announced on the 18th that they had applied to the prosecution for an arrest warrant for Choi (30, male), who is suspected of rape and injury.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Choi is accused of assaulting the victim, Ms. A, with a metal knuckle tool and then raping her in a forest about 100 meters off the trail on Gwanaksan Mountain 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 caught Choi at the scene. Ms. A was transported to a hospital but is reported to be unconscious. It has been confirmed that Choi and Ms. A were not acquaintances.

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

During the police investigation, Choi reportedly stated, "I purchased the 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 he frequently visited it 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.

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

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 prediction posts" following the Shinrim-dong stabbing incident. A police official stated, "We are continuing the investigation into the specific motive, the reason for selecting the crime location, and the details of the crime."

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