Incheon prosecutors to pay W50m in emergency relief to knife-rampage victims

Incheon District Prosecutors Office holds case management meeting with partner agencies

Emergency rescue fund of 50 million won, 3.5 million won in living-stability aid approved

Choi Chung-rak (center, 59), who injured eight people in a knife rampage at a large commercial complex in Incheon, arrives for a warrant review hearing at Incheon District Court in Michuhol-gu, Incheon, on Friday. The Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency held a personal information disclosure review committee the same day and released the name, age and photo of Choi, who was taken into detention on charges of attempted murder and carrying a weapon in a public place.

The Incheon District Prosecutors Office has moved to protect and support victims of a knife-rampage attack at a large shopping mall, deciding to pay an emergency rescue fund of 50 million won ($37,200) upfront.

The office's Criminal Division 2, led by Chief Prosecutor Yun Won-il, announced the decision Monday morning after holding a case management meeting with partner agencies including the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency, Incheon City Hall, the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service and a crime victim support center.

The meeting was convened to establish swift protection and support measures for victims of the knife attack that occurred Tuesday at a large shopping mall in Guwol-dong, Namdong-gu, Incheon. Under the Crime Victims Protection Act, prosecutors may convene case management meetings to discuss all matters relating to the protection and support of crime victims.

Agencies represented at the meeting shared information on the extent of the crime damage and the current state of victim support, and discussed measures for financial assistance — including emergency rescue funds — as well as psychological treatment and counseling. The participants agreed to continue close coordination and active implementation of support measures to ensure no gaps arise in victim protection.

The prosecutors office said it would pay 50 million won in emergency rescue funds and 3.5 million won in emergency living-stability aid to victims currently receiving inpatient treatment. It also said it had completed the appointment of public defenders for all eight victims.

The emergency rescue fund is paid under Article 28 of the Crime Victims Protection Act, while the living-stability aid is provided under guidelines governing financial support for crime victims.

"We will continue to work closely with partner agencies to do our utmost to help crime victims safely return to their daily lives," an official at the Incheon District Prosecutors Office said.

yg@heraldcorp.com