President Lee urges war-like response to surge in violent crimes

In a weekly meeting with senior aides, President Lee Jae Myung urged the government to adopt a "war-like" stance against violent crime, citing a series of recent attacks that have heightened public anxiety. He pointed to a stabbing spree at a commercial complex in Incheon’s Guwol-dong that left eight injured, including an unconscious woman in her twenties, as well as a mother-in-law killing in Seoul and a fatal stabbing on Jeju Island.

Lee proposed creating an inter-agency task force, reviewing the effectiveness of victim-protection equipment, and ensuring high-risk offenders are properly monitored, especially those with electronic ankle monitors. He called for a rapid expansion of police personnel, resources, and equipment to close any gaps in emergency response. The president emphasized that protecting citizens, particularly women and vulnerable groups, requires swift, comprehensive action from all relevant ministries.