Seoul Man Arrested After Sickle Attack at Museum

Seoul police arrested a man in his 70s on June 26, approximately 10 hours after he allegedly attacked another man with a sickle at the Ilmin Museum of Art in central Seoul. The suspect was apprehended in the Gwanak District around 5:50 p.m. on suspicion of attempted murder.

The incident reportedly took place around 7:47 a.m. inside the museum, located in the Dong-A Ilbo building in the Gwanghwamun area. The victim, a man in his 40s, sustained an arm injury. Police stated that the two men knew each other; the suspect had previously worked in building maintenance, while the victim had also worked there before recently resigning.

Following the attack, the suspect fled through various parts of Seoul before hiding at an acquaintance's home in Gwanak, where authorities eventually located and arrested him. Police utilized closed-circuit television footage to track the suspect's movements leading up to his capture. A bag, believed to belong to the suspect and reportedly containing a container of gasoline, was recovered at the scene.

The injured victim was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment, and his injuries are not considered life-threatening. Investigators plan to question the suspect to determine the motive and circumstances surrounding the assault before seeking an arrest warrant.