Choi Chung-rak, 59, is accused of stabbing 10 people at a large commercial facility in Incheon in an attempted murder. The Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency released his personal information on Friday. [Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency]
Choi Chung-rak, 59, is accused of stabbing 10 people at a large commercial facility in Incheon in an attempted murder. The Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency released his personal information on Friday. [Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency]

Police on Saturday searched the home of Choi Chung-rak, 59, who is accused of going on a knife rampage at a large commercial facility in Incheon, injuring eight people.

Investigators from the Incheon Namdong Police Station carried out the search and seizure at Choi's residence in Gyeyang-gu, Incheon, that morning, Yonhap reported.

Police are expected to use the search to determine whether Choi had made any preparations for the attack in advance.

Choi was taken into detention after allegedly stabbing 10 people at the See&See commercial building in Guwol-dong, Namdong-gu, Incheon — a complex housing a hypermarket and a movie theater — at around 1:48 p.m. on Tuesday.

Eight of the 10 victims were injured. A 19-year-old woman who was rushed to hospital in cardiac arrest underwent emergency surgery but remains unconscious.

During police questioning, Choi said he had grievances against a clinic where he had received treatment for a skin condition, and that the clinic had reported him to police, triggering a separate investigation. He said he carried out the attack "to make news" and draw public attention to his complaints.

Choi has 10 prior convictions punishable by fines or heavier penalties, including two counts of attempted murder.

The Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency convened a personal information disclosure review committee on Friday and voted unanimously to release Choi's identity, citing the brutality of the attack, the severity of the harm caused, the sufficiency of evidence and the public interest.


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