What did Choi Choong-rak tell police about why he attacked people in Incheon?

Choi said he acted out of anger over medical treatment he received at a local hospital. He also told investigators that he did not target specific people and chose people who looked weaker than him.

How did police assess Choi Choong-rak for psychopathy, and what was the result?

The Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency administered a psychopathy test. Choi scored below the 25-point cutoff on the 40-point scale used to classify someone as a psychopath.

What are police investigating about the Incheon stabbing spree?

Police are analyzing evidence and conducting further investigations to establish Choi’s motive and determine whether he planned the attack in advance.

Incheon stabbing suspect tests negative for psychopathy

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Summary

The Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency said Thursday that Choi Choong-rak tested below the threshold for psychopathy after a stabbing spree at a commercial complex in Incheon on Oct. 13. Choi is accused of attempting to kill 10 people; eight were injured, including one person who remains unconscious after cardiac arrest. He told police anger over medical treatment prompted the attack and said he chose people who looked weaker than him. Police are investigating his motive and whether the attack was premeditated.

Key Facts

Choi scored below the 25 out of 40 points required to classify someone as a psychopath.
The two people who were not among the eight injured escaped without harm.
Choi has 10 prior convictions, including two for attempted murder.
Police said they are analyzing evidence as part of their investigation into the attack.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 22, 2026 11:19 am KST

This photo, provided by the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency, shows Choi Choong-rak, 59, who allegedly attempted to murder 10 people at a commercial complex in Incheon, just west of Seoul, Oct. 13, by wielding knives in both hands. The attack injured eight people, with one still unconscious after suffering cardiac arrest. Yonhap

INCHEON — The suspect behind last week's stabbing spree in Incheon has tested negative for psychopathy, police and legal sources said Thursday.

The Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency conducted a psychopathy test on the 59-year-old suspect, Choi Choong-rak, but his score fell below the 25 out of 40 points needed to classify him as a psychopath.

Choi is accused of attempting to kill 10 people at a commercial complex in Incheon, west of Seoul, on Oct. 13, by wielding knives in both hands.

The rampage left eight people injured, including one who remains unconscious after suffering cardiac arrest. The two others escaped without harm.

During police questioning, Choi said he carried out the attack out of anger over medical treatment he received at a local hospital. He also told police that he did not target specific people but chose those who looked weaker than him.

Choi has 10 prior convictions, including two for attempted murder.

Police said they are analyzing evidence and conducting further investigations to determine his motive and whether the attack was premeditated.

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