Korean Man Kills Neighbor With A Samurai Sword
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A Korean man in his 30s has been arrested for killing another man with a Japanese Samurai-style sword in Seoul.
According to the police on July 30, KST, the suspect, 37-year-old Baek, was apprehended for murdering another man in his 40s at around 11:30 pm on July 29, Monday. He attacked the man near the entrance of an apartment complex’s parking lot in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul. Both Baek and the victim, Kim, lived in this apartment complex and were reportedly acquainted, though not closely.
According to reports, Baek picked up a fight with the victim on the sidewalk near the complex, and when Kim tried calling the police, he attacked him with a weapon. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital after the attack, where he succumbed to his injuries. Baek fled the scene to his home after the incident and was arrested by the police about an hour later.
The weapon used by Baek was an 80 cm-long sword. Korea’s Control of Firearms, Knives, Swords, Explosives, Etc. Act. requires any blade over 15 cm to be authorized by the police, and this sword was registered and authorized under the category of “decoration.” This authorization, however, is restricted for individuals suffering from epilepsy or mental illnesses, a history of alcoholism, or addiction to illegal drugs. Possession of such items is also banned for ex-convicts who served sentences less than five years prior. Since Baek had no such history, officers had authorized the sword.
According to investigators, Baek did not appear to have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the incident. The police had also planned to do a rapid drug test on him for confirmation.
Neighbors’ testimonies described Baek as a hard-working person who worked at a large company in Seoul. His behavior, however, changed suddenly after he left the company last month following a conflict with his boss. Baek was also allegedly spotted screaming and swearing at himself, as well as challenging children at the complex playground to a sword fight with his Samurai sword. Kim, on the other hand, worked at an office in Seoul and is survived by his two young sons, aged 9 and 4.
