An 18-year-old high school student fell victim to a brutal attack in Suncheon on Sept. 26. The tragic incident, which took place without any apparent motive, has brought the issue of “motiveless” crimes to the forefront of public discourse.
According to reports, the perpetrator Park Daesung stabbed the young victim three times in a parking lot in Jorye-dong around 12:44 a.m. The attack was seemingly random, with no apparent connection between the assailant and the victim.
When questioned, Park claimed to have no memory of the incident, stating he had consumed about four bottles of soju.
The victim, who had left home that night to buy medicine for her ailing father, was a beloved daughter with a dream of becoming a police officer. Her untimely death has devastated the South Korean community.
“I was quite alarmed by the increasing frequency of these random and absurd acts of violence,” Minjoo Kim (9), crime prevention advocate, said. “I think that the root causes lies in societal indifference. Because society failed to give attention to these individuals, their personal emotions often snowball into a grudge against society. Hence, the best solution is to foster a more compassionate environment.”
In response to the tragedy, many have also called for harsher punishments and the disclosure of perpetrators’ identities for such crimes. Reflecting this public sentiment, the Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency has taken an unprecedented step by deciding to disclose Park’s personal information until Oct 29. This uncommon move has earned public approval, signaling a potential shift in how authorities may handle such cases from now on.
As the nation grapples with this tragedy, it seems clear that a multifaceted approach is necessary to create a safer society for all.