“Help me!” Soldier on leave catches man in his 50s who struck woman in her 20s with a rock

[Financial News] An Army noncommissioned officer on leave has drawn attention after catching a man in his 50s who struck a woman in her 20s on the head with a rock as she walked down the street in the middle of the night.
News1 reported on the 18th that Staff Sergeant Min Gyeong-hyeon (24), of the intelligence section of the Army’s 66th Brigade, 21st Division, apprehended a man in his 50s, identified as A, on suspicion of special assault at about 1 a.m. on the 5th on a road in Yeokbuk-dong, Cheoin-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi Province.
A is suspected of injuring B, a woman in her 20s, by hitting her on the back of the head with a rock at about 1:19 a.m. that day on a street in Cheoin-gu, Yongin. The two were found to be complete strangers. A followed B, who was heading home after finishing her part-time job, and attacked her.
At the time, Min was on leave in Yongin, where his family home is, and was heading home after having dinner with friends. He heard an urgent voice calling, “Help me. Please catch that person,” and, seeing a man fleeing in a hurry, judged that something was wrong and gave chase.
Another man had first tried to catch A but failed, so Min immediately took up the pursuit. After chasing him for about 20 to 30 meters, Min caught A. Min reportedly restrained A from behind, wrapping his arms around him to prevent him from escaping, then asked people nearby to call 112.
A tried to break free until the police arrived and also hurled insults at Min. But Min risked his own safety and held A for about 20 minutes before handing him over to the officers who responded. He also asked his friends to check on the injured B.
Min told News1, “It was disappointing in a way that, even though there were so many people around, no one stepped in directly to help,” adding, “So I think my body just reacted instinctively.” He also said, “I believed that as a soldier, I should protect the public,” and, “Rather than thinking I might be in danger, my first thought was that I had to set things right.”
Min said, “It’s unfortunate that the victim was injured, but I’m glad we were able to catch the culprit quickly.” He emphasized, “I realized once again that family, friends and acquaintances could be in danger even around my family home. I hope something like this never happens again.”
He said, “I believe I should be able to respond immediately whenever the nation and its people are threatened, not only while I’m serving in the military but throughout my life,” adding, “I want to stay prepared, with the physical fitness and courage to step in at any time.”
Min entered the noncommissioned officer academy in July 2021 and was commissioned in November of the same year. He has served continuously in Yanggu County, Gangwon Province, since then. Yongin Dongbu Police Precinct in Gyeonggi Province plans to award Min a commendation from the precinct chief in recognition of his role in apprehending the suspect.
[email protected] Kim Hee-seon Reporter