Man threatens pedestrians near Yanghwa Han River Park on Sunday afternoon

Frightened bystanders take refuge in nearby cafe, about 15 people inside

Owner locks doors and windows, immediately calls police

No injuries reported; police reviewing arrest warrant

People relax at Yeouido Han River Park in Seoul on Sunday, the final day of the chuseok holiday. [Yonhap]
People relax at Yeouido Han River Park in Seoul on Sunday, the final day of the chuseok holiday. [Yonhap]

A man in his 40s wielding a blade threatened bystanders near a crowded Han River park in Seoul on the last day of the chuseok holiday before being arrested by police. When frightened onlookers fled into a nearby cafe, the man attempted to follow them inside — but the owner quickly locked the doors and windows, preventing any injuries.

According to police, the Yeongdeungpo Police Station arrested the man, identified only as A, on the spot at around 3:45 p.m. Sunday near Yanghwa Han River Park on charges of threatening pedestrians while carrying a bladed weapon.

A is alleged to have shouted loudly and menaced people around him while brandishing the weapon in the street. The area had been busy with holiday visitors enjoying the park.

Startled bystanders rushed into a nearby cafe for safety. A attempted to follow them inside with the weapon, but the owner locked the doors and windows and immediately called police. About 15 people were inside the cafe at the time.

A witness in his 30s, identified as B, said he had been drinking coffee at an outdoor cafe with his two children when the incident unfolded. "Suddenly I heard loud shouting and a commotion, and when I turned around, a man was holding a knife and screaming at people nearby," he said.

"Startled, I first took shelter inside the cafe, and other people who had been outside also came in," B added, describing the scene.

After failing to enter the cafe, A moved toward nearby vehicles and was apprehended by officers who responded to the scene. No one was injured in the incident.

Police applied charges of carrying a bladed weapon in a public place, an offense introduced through a revision to the criminal code last year. The charge was created to punish openly displaying a weapon without justification in places used by the general public — such as roads or parks — in a way that causes fear or anxiety.

Police are investigating why A brought the weapon and what his condition was at the time. Based on the findings, they will also review whether to seek an arrest warrant.


kwater@heraldcorp.com