BEYOND THE KDRAMA - S Korea's rise of stabbing crimes

While South Korea remains one of the safest countries globally, a recent rise in high-profile "random" stabbing incidents (locally known as Mudjima or "Don't Ask Why" crimes) has significantly increased public anxiety. 

Recent Knife Crime Statistics (2025 Data) 

According to 2026 reports from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency  there were 307 cases of sharp-weapon-related crimes in Seoul alone during 2025. 

• Suspect Demographics: Men accounted for 87.9% of suspects. More than half (54.7%) were in their 50s or older, with the average age being 49.7.
• Time and Setting:
  • Peak Time: Most incidents occurred between 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM.
  • Common Locations: Contrary to popular belief, 40.4% happened in residential areas, while only 6.2% occurred in adult entertainment districts.
  • Weekday Trend: Incidents were nearly twice as frequent on weekdays (Monday–Wednesday) compared to weekends.
• Mental State and Motive:
  • 46.7% of cases had no clear motive.
  • 50.5% of suspects were either intoxicated or in an "abnormal mental state" at the time of the offense.
  • Specific triggers like inter-floor noise or parking disputes accounted for roughly 10-17% of cases. 

Historical and National Trends

• Long-term Growth: Nationally, knife-related cases involving major crimes (murder, rape, robbery, etc.) rose by 20.6% over a decade, from approximately 6,500 in 2011 to 7,900 in 2021.
• Weapon Lethality: In 2022 data, knives were the most frequently used lethal weapon in violent crimes (18.6%) and were used in 66.6% of murders.
• Public Safety Perception: Despite statistically low murder rates (1.3 per 100,000 in 2021), a 2025 survey showed that 60% of citizens perceive the nationwide crime rate has increased, largely due to high-profile stabbing rampages since 2023.

Police Response

In light of these statistics, the National Police Agency has increased the use of non-lethal force. As of August 2025, Tasers were used 245 times, a significant increase aimed at subduing suspects without resorting to live ammunition, which was only discharged four times in 2024.