Suspect says he took it from military trash heap during service

Police reviewing possible violation of firearms and explosives law

Protesters holding umbrellas chant slogans Sunday outside the handball gymnasium at Olympic Park in Songpa-gu, Seoul, which served as a ballot-counting venue during the June 3 local elections. The demonstration was held to denounce a shortage of ballots. [Yonhap]
Protesters holding umbrellas chant slogans Sunday outside the handball gymnasium at Olympic Park in Songpa-gu, Seoul, which served as a ballot-counting venue during the June 3 local elections. The demonstration was held to denounce a shortage of ballots. [Yonhap]

Police have identified the owner of a practice grenade discovered at a rally in Olympic Park and questioned him about how he came to possess it. The suspect said he had taken it with him when he left the military.

The Songpa Police Station in Seoul said Tuesday that it received a 112 emergency call around 6:40 p.m. Monday reporting that suspect A had reappeared at Olympic Park. Officers confirmed his identity and questioned him about how he had obtained the grenade.

"A said he picked up the practice grenade from a trash area while serving in the military," police said.

A told investigators that he took the grenade with him when he was discharged from the military in April and had been keeping it in his bag.

A maintained that he had no intention of bringing the grenade to the rally. He told police he only realized belatedly that the grenade was in the bag he had brought while volunteering at the rally, and that he had lost it without thinking much of it while tending to an orchid.

The lost grenade came to light Sunday when another person at the rally found it and reported it to police.

Police said they will continue their investigation, including a legal review of whether A's acquisition and possession of the practice grenade constitutes a violation of the Control of Firearms, Swords, Explosives, Etc. Act.


20ki@heraldcorp.com