“Let’s show this brave shop owner our support by bringing business to the store”: Support pours in for Incheon shop where knife-wielding attacker was subdued

[Financial News] A knife attack at a large shopping complex in Incheon has drawn attention to the citizens who subdued the attacker and prevented even greater harm. In particular, after reports emerged that the complex had seen fewer customers since the incident, people have continued to show their support, urging others to patronize the businesses of the merchants who stood up to the attacker.
On the 15th, addresses and food photos of restaurants run by merchants who helped subdue the attacker in the knife rampage in Guwol-dong, Incheon, were circulating on various online communities and social media platforms (SNS). Users shared the addresses and responded with comments such as “Heroes of Guwol-dong” and “Let’s go support the brave shop owner by bringing business to the store.”
During the knife attack on the 13th, the merchants used chairs and other objects to stop the suspect. Lee Hyun-min, the owner of an udon restaurant who was the first to witness the suspect’s crime, chased after the suspect, while Shin In-soo, a man in his 60s who owns a ssambap restaurant, took an active role, including pinning the fallen suspect down with a chair. Other customers who were dining in the restaurant area at the time also helped stop the suspect.
After the suspect was arrested and the incident was brought to an end, the merchants returned to work but have still not recovered from the shock. According to Yonhap News on the 14th, a woman in her 40s who runs a naengmyeon restaurant in the complex’s second-floor restaurant area said, “The victims’ screams are still vivid in my mind. Even after taking tranquilizers, my heart was pounding, and I couldn’t sleep a wink.”
She also lamented, “Wednesdays are usually fairly busy from before lunchtime because the movie theater on the fourth floor has discount promotions or new movies opening, but as you can see, there isn’t a single customer,” adding, “I feel so sorry for the victims of the knife attack, but we’ve also suffered enormous losses.” In fact, since the incident, the complex has reportedly been subdued and seen fewer customers, causing major disruption to business.
Meanwhile, Incheon City and Namdong-gu have set up an on-site psychological support booth at the shopping complex where the incident took place and are providing counseling. Police are considering rewards and support for the citizens who helped subdue the suspect.
[email protected] Kim Hee-seon Reporter