Incheon knife rampage suspect Choi Chung-rak had 10 victims — and faces far heavier sentence this time

Choi Chung-rak, 59, who is in detention on charges of attempting to kill 10 people with a knife at a large commercial complex in Incheon, is widely expected to face a far heavier sentence than he received for two previous attempted murder offenses — one of which resulted in a suspended sentence and the other in a prison term. Legal observers say that if the court recognizes the attack as targeting an unspecified number of people and applies sentencing guidelines for multiple victims, Choi could receive a life sentence.

Police said Saturday that the Incheon Namdong Police Station had determined that 10 people were victims of the attempted murder charges against Choi.

Choi said he had no intention of killing anyone, but police applied the attempted murder charge based on the method of the attack — he had taped a knife to each hand — and the parts of the body he targeted.

Because he wielded the knives indiscriminately against an unspecified number of people at the facility, police included not only the eight people who were injured but also two others who left the scene with torn clothing among the victims.

If a court recognizes three or more victims in an attempted murder case, sentencing guidelines for multiple victims apply, which can significantly increase the penalty. For defendants convicted of three or more offenses, the upper sentencing limit can be raised by up to 50 percent.

If the attack is found to have been an indiscriminate assault targeting an unspecified number of people, or if the court finds that Choi showed an extreme disregard for human life, he could face decades in prison or a life sentence.

Investigators are also taking note of the fact that Choi prepared the knives in advance and was carrying 6.8 million won ($5,040) in cash at the time of the attack. If evidence of meticulous planning or an attempt to flee is established, it could weigh against him at sentencing.

Citizens who subdued Choi at the scene, along with the victims, have expressed fear of retaliatory attacks and called for his permanent removal from society, adding to public pressure for a severe punishment.

Choi, who has 10 prior convictions, received a two-and-a-half-year sentence suspended for three years' probation for a first attempted murder in 2005 targeting a licensed real estate agent, and a four-year prison term for a second attempted murder in 2015 targeting his ex-wife.

Police plan to press Choi on his motive and conduct a thorough investigation into whether the attack was premeditated and whether he attempted to flee.

"We will pursue the investigation from multiple angles to ensure he receives a severe punishment," a police official said.

Choi is accused of stabbing 10 people at the See&See commercial complex in Guwol-dong, Namdong-gu, Incheon — a building housing a hypermarket, a movie theater and other businesses — at around 1:48 p.m. Tuesday with intent to kill.

During police questioning, Choi said he had been dissatisfied with a hospital where he received treatment for a skin condition, and that the hospital had reported him to police, triggering an investigation. He said he carried out the attack "to make news" and draw public attention to his grievances.