“Arrested with blood on his face”... Photo of Incheon knife attack suspect spread online

[Financial News] A photo of the face of a suspect in his 50s who injured eight members of the public with a weapon at a large commercial facility in Incheon is spreading online. The photo of the suspect, whose face is not obscured, circulated before police had even decided whether to disclose his identity, prompting concerns about indiscriminate sharing.
On the 14th, a photo taken when suspect A was arrested in the “Incheon stabbing” incident were shared across various online communities and social networking services (SNS).
The photo clearly shows blood on A’s face and clothes. As it has circulated without being blurred, even unspecified users, including children and pregnant women, may come across it.
There is also a possibility of legal issues, including defamation, if a suspect’s face or personal information is circulated before police have decided whether to disclose the suspect’s identity.
Police are separately considering whether to disclose A’s face and name. They will review whether the criteria for disclosing the suspect’s identity are met, taking into account the public’s right to know and the potential crime-prevention effects.
The final decision on whether to disclose the information is expected to be made this week by an identity disclosure review committee comprising internal police and outside members.
A was arrested by police on suspicion of wielding a weapon and injuring eight visitors at a large shopping center in Guwol-dong, Namdong-gu, Incheon, at around 1:40 p.m. on the 13th.
During police questioning, A reportedly stated, “I chose people who looked weaker than me.”

Meanwhile, one of the eight victims, a woman in her 20s, was taken to hospital in cardiac arrest. She underwent emergency surgery and is receiving treatment in the intensive care unit, but has not yet regained consciousness.

[email protected] Han Seung-gon Reporter