South Korean authorities have intensified their efforts in the wake of a violent knife attack spree at a Seongnam department store south of Seoul that left one dead and 13 injured. Following the incident, the National Police Agency reported a concerning surge in online threats of similar violent actions. Police have identified 54 individuals related to these threats, several of whom are minors. Notably, a 31-year-old was detained under emergency conditions for threats centered around Seoul’s Hyehwa Station. Another individual, identified as Heo, was deemed a flight risk after being caught with a knife near a Seoul bus terminal.

The severity of the situation prompted significant action from the presidential office. They have dispatched law enforcement officers to 89 locations that might be susceptible to violent attacks. In a statement, presidential office spokesperson Lee Do-woon revealed that police had screened 442 individuals deemed suspicious, arresting 14 on varying charges. Further, over 22,000 personnel, including volunteers, have been mobilized to monitor 3,444 facilities identified as vulnerable to these crimes.