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| Cho Seon, the suspect in a fatal stabbing rampage near Sillim Station in Seoul on July 21, is taken out of a police station in this July 28 file photo. Korea Times file |
The prosecution on Friday indicted the suspect in last month's deadly stabbing rampage near a subway station in Seoul.
Cho Seon, 33, has been arrested for killing one man and wounding three others with a knife on July 21.
The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office charged him with multiple counts that include murder, attempted murder, theft, fraud and insult.
The investigation revealed that he fatally stabbed the 22-year-old victim 18 times on a street close to Sillim Station in southwestern Seoul and then attacked three other men in their 30s.
The prosecution deemed the crime as premeditated. In an attempt to erase evidence, he wiped his mobile phone and destroyed his computer just prior to the crime. He also chose to steal two knives instead of purchasing them to avoid arousing suspicion.
Psychological analysis indicated that he was grappling with feelings of dissatisfaction and despair, stemming from the breakdown of family relationships, social maladjustment, heartbreak and economic struggles.
After experiencing a series of personal setbacks, Cho had been leading a reclusive life since December, immersing himself completely in gaming and online community activities, according to the prosecution.
His criminal act could have been driven by his resentment stemming from a complaint filed against him over his online posts, the prosecution said.
Four days prior to the crime, he was summoned by the police for questioning related to an insult charge.
During the interrogation, Cho said upon seeing the victim he was reminded of the person who had reported him.
His addiction to video games and sense of inferiority toward his peers also played a significant role in motivating his crimes, according to the prosecution.
On the morning of the crime, he watched a video of a first-person shooter game, and the prosecution has drawn parallels between his movements during the incident and those displayed by in-game characters.
Cho has also been accused of fare evasion. He allegedly took taxis without payment to travel from Incheon, west of Seoul, to Sillim Station.
Additionally, the prosecution applied insult charges, based on derogatory comments he made online on Dec. 27, in referring to a game YouTuber as "gay-like."
He had a criminal history consisting of 20 offenses and faced penalties, including a suspended prison sentence and two fines. (Yonhap)
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