Police can now search for suspicious weapons

Police in gears patrols Ori Station in Seongnam, Gyeonggi, on Friday. Ori is one of the subway stations that was given warnings of an attack much similar to the one two weeks ago and on Thursday. [YONHAP]

Police can now search the personal belongings of those suspected of carrying a weapon, in the aftermath of random knife attacks that have occurred over the past two days.

Yoon Hee-keun, chief of the National Police Agency, declared a “special enforcement operation” against “heinous crimes” on Friday,

Police officers will be stationed in public areas and will increase patrols to protect the public’s safety. The emergency operation will continue until public fear subsides, with Yoon asking for the public's understanding and cooperation.

On Thursday 14 people were injured in a knife attack at AK Plaza mall. Two people were hit by the compact car driven by the 22-year assailant, only identified as Choi, just before entering the mall and are reported to be in critical condition.

One of the victims is a woman in her 20s and the other is in their 60s.

The latest attack happened two weeks after four people were stabbed by Jo Sun, a 33-year-old male, in the alleyways next to Sillim Station in Gwanak District, Seoul.

One victim, a man in his 20s, died from the wounds sustained during the attack.

Since the Sillim attack, warnings about copycat attacks are increasing.

Police on Friday apprehended a man in his 20s with knives at Seoul Express Bus Terminal in southern Seoul and confiscated two knives from him.

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]