Knife Attack Injures Bystanders At Crowded Seoul Square, Police Detain Suspect, Area Closed

Seoul, South Korea— Officers tackled a man to the ground in a public square in central Seoul just after 3 p.m. on October 30, 2026 after reports that bystanders were being stabbed.

The square was crowded. Office workers were on break. A few tourists were taking photos. Police said the man pulled a blade and moved through the crowd. People screamed and ran toward the subway exits.

Four people were injured before bystanders and police intervened. Two were taken to nearby hospitals with serious wounds. The other two were treated on site for cuts. Police did not release names or ages.

The suspect was pinned near a bench by two plainclothes officers who were patrolling the area. The knife was recovered. The man was taken to Jongno Police Station. Police said he was in his 30s and did not resist after being restrained.

"We received multiple 119 calls about a person swinging a weapon," a police spokesperson said in a brief statement at the scene. "The situation was controlled within minutes, but the area remains closed."

Witnesses described confusion. One vendor said he saw people running and thought there was a traffic accident. Then he saw blood on the pavement. Police cleared the square and set up a perimeter with metal barriers.

Forensic teams photographed the site. Blood was visible near the central fountain. Bags and personal items were left behind as people fled. Officers collected CCTV footage from municipal cameras and nearby shops.

The motive was not clear. Police said an initial interview suggested no direct link between the attacker and the victims. Investigators are checking whether the man had a prior record or recent mental health contact. No terrorist link was mentioned.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government issued a short alert advising people to avoid the square. Subway trains skipped one exit for two hours. City officials said extra officers would remain in the area.

As of late evening, the square was still taped off. The suspect remained in custody and victims were being interviewed when possible.