A shocking stabbing incident inside a Seoul grocery store has raised fresh concern over random attacks in Korea. The violent crime occurred Tuesday evening in Mia-dong, Gangbuk-gu, a usually quiet neighborhood in northern Seoul.
A man in his 30s entered a local supermarket wearing hospital clothing. He had reportedly just left an orthopedic clinic nearby. Inside the store, he drank almost half a bottle of soju. Then, he opened a kitchen knife from the shelf and attacked two women. The man fatally stabbed a woman in her 60s and seriously injured a store employee in her 40s.
Police confirmed that neither victim had any connection to the attacker. This fueled more fear about the unpredictability of random attacks in Korea. The man left the store calmly after the assault. He then called the police himself and told them he would wait after finishing a cigarette.
Residents expressed deep shock. One local said, “You go to buy groceries and get killed by a stranger. That’s terrifying.” Another longtime customer of the store described the location and randomness of the incident as especially disturbing.
CCTV footage showed people running in panic. Others froze as the older woman collapsed outside the store, bleeding heavily. Witnesses said the smell of blood overwhelmed the area. Many felt helpless as the tragedy unfolded right in front of them.
Authorities upgraded the suspect’s charges from attempted murder to murder after the victim died. Police arrested him and took him into custody. His court hearing took place on Thursday morning. Officials said they expected a decision on his arrest warrant later in the day.
This stabbing comes after a string of unpredictable crimes in South Korea. Recent incidents include arson in a Seoul apartment building and assaults in public transport stations. These random attacks in Korea have left many questioning whether any place is truly safe anymore.
Despite the rising fear, government leaders have not yet introduced new safety measures. Citizens continue demanding answers and stronger action to prevent more violence. As people avoid once-safe public spaces, anxiety keeps growing across the country. Random attacks in Korea now feel like a dangerous new reality.
