Woman Arrested for Attempted Murder After Stabbing Psychiatrist at Severance Hospital
A suspect in her 50s faces attempted murder charges following a violent attack on a professor.
1Formal Arrest Warrant Issued
The Seoul Western District Court issued an arrest warrant for a woman in her 50s following a stabbing incident at Severance Hospital. Presiding Judge Park Seok-geun approved the detention, citing the suspect's potential risk of flight. She remains in custody while facing formal charges of attempted murder for the attack.
2Details of the Attack
The incident occurred on the afternoon of the 4th at approximately 4:35 PM inside a fifth-floor consultation room. The suspect allegedly used a kitchen knife, which she had brought in a shopping bag, to strike a psychiatry professor. The victim sustained a five-centimeter laceration to his face and hand.
3Victim Condition and Treatment
Following the assault, the psychiatry professor was immediately transported to the hospital's emergency room for urgent medical care. Authorities confirmed that while the injuries required professional treatment, the victim's condition is not life-threatening. He is currently recovering from the wounds inflicted during the encounter in his consultation office.
4Suspect's Stated Motives
During her arrival at the court, the suspect claimed the hospital caused her diabetes in 2018 by failing to provide proper internal medicine treatment. She further alleged that the institution turned her into a criminal and treated her like a test subject, though she did not express remorse for the victim.
5Premeditation and Legal Charges
Police initially arrested the woman on charges of special injury. However, investigators upgraded the charge to attempted murder after discovering she brought a kitchen knife from her home. Her admission that she intentionally carried the weapon to the hospital served as a critical factor in determining the intent to kill.
6Allegations of Hospital Collusion
The suspect told police that she felt enraged because she believed the Severance doctor was colluding with other medical facilities to block her from receiving necessary care. She claimed this perceived obstruction was the primary reason for her actions, despite reports indicating she was not a current psychiatry patient there.
7Safety Concerns in Clinics
This incident highlights the ongoing security challenges within medical consultation rooms, where doctors often interact with patients in private settings. The transition from special injury to attempted murder charges reflects the severity of the violence. Hospitals are now facing renewed scrutiny regarding the safety protocols for staff in high-stress departments.
8Legal Process Moving Forward
With the arrest warrant secured, the investigation will now focus on the suspect's mental state and the validity of her claims regarding past medical treatment. Prosecutors will prepare the case for trial, ensuring that the evidence of premeditation is documented. The court will determine the final sentencing based on these findings.