A local government in Gwangju is pursuing official "righteous person" recognition for a male high school student who sustained serious injuries while attempting to rescue a female high school student from a knife attack in the city center. The student ran to the scene after hearing screams, and his life-threatening rescue attempt has drawn widespread support from the local community.
High School Student Ran to Scene After Hearing "Help Me" Screams
According to News1 and Gwangsan-gu in Gwangju on Tuesday, the district office is directly pursuing righteous person recognition procedures for a 17-year-old male high school student, identified as A, who was seriously injured while trying to help the female victim in the recent Wolgye-dong knife murder case.
The incident occurred around 12:11 a.m. on the 5th on a pedestrian path near a university in Wolgye-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju.
At the time, Jang, a 24-year-old man, attacked a 17-year-old female high school student, identified as B, who was on her way home. A, who was passing by on the other side of the street, ran to the scene after hearing screams.
"At first, I thought it was a couple arguing," A said, describing the situation. "Then I heard screams of 'help me,' and my body just moved first."
A attempted to call 119 at the request of B, who had collapsed, but Jang charged at him with the knife, seriously injuring his hand and neck. He reportedly pushed the assailant away, escaped the scene, and called an acquaintance for help.
B was taken to a hospital but died, while A is currently receiving treatment after emergency surgery. He is also reportedly suffering from symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), freezing up when strangers approach him.
Gwangsan-gu: "Pursuing Righteous Person Recognition"
Gwangsan-gu determined that A's actions constitute a rescue act to save another person's life.
The righteous person system is a program in which the state provides honor and support to individuals who are injured or killed while saving the life or body of another person through acts outside their official duties. Those recognized following review by the Ministry of Health and Welfare can receive medical expenses, compensation, and medical benefits.
The Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education is also reviewing, in consultation with related agencies, the presentation of the "Proud Gwangju Student Award" to A and support for his righteous person application.
Suspect's Psychopath Test: "Below Threshold"
Police also conducted an antisocial personality disorder (psychopath) test on the suspect Jang, but the results showed he did not meet the classification criteria.
According to the Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency and Gwangsan Police Station on Tuesday, police deployed a profiler to conduct a Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) diagnostic test on Jang. After evaluating 20 items including impulsivity, lack of empathy, and irresponsibility, he reportedly fell short of the domestic threshold of 25 points.
Police have been intensively investigating Jang's antisocial tendencies, given that he attacked high school students he did not know without clear motive.
Police are currently conducting digital forensic analysis on the seized mobile phone, investigating the motive and whether the crime was premeditated. They have also obtained records related to a case involving a Vietnamese woman who had reported Jang as a stalking offender prior to the crime, and are investigating the possibility of additional crimes.
Jang reportedly told police during questioning that "I wanted to take someone with me before I die." Police have also decided to disclose Jang's personal information, which will be made public for one month starting the 14th.
