South Korean Man Attempted Suicide After Gambling Row

Police have arrested a South Korean man who allegedly shot at his friends with an air pistol after a gambling-related argument – and later turned his weapon on himself.

Officers in the city of Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, said the unnamed man is in his 60s, the South Korean media outlet Newis reported.

Yeongju Police Station officials said they have charged the man with intimidation and the illegal possession of a firearm.

Police say the incident took place on February 27, when the man and acquaintances arranged an illegal gambling session at an office in the city’s Punggi neighborhood.

Upset with the outcome of this session, the accused allegedly got into a heated row. When the rest of the group moved to a nearby indoor street food stall to eat, the man followed them, after arming himself with an unloaded air pistol, police said.

When he saw his acquaintances, officials said, he pointed the weapon at them and pulled the trigger.

Although the air gun was not loaded with live ammunition at the time, a police spokesperson said, “chaos broke out at the stall” due to the loud noise caused by the release of high-pressure gas.

One of the group called the police, and the man reportedly ran back to his home. When police arrived at his house, officers said they found themselves “in a stand-off” with the man.

During the confrontation, the man “aimed the unloaded air gun at his own head and pulled the trigger,” the spokesperson said.

South Korean Man: Illegal Firearms Charge

Police immediately rushed the suspect to a nearby hospital, where medics confirmed he had sustained a serious injury.

The spokesperson said the police investigation is continuing. The official added that police have confirmed the man did not have a permit for the weapon.

Meanwhile, the South Korean media outlet MBN reported that police in Seoul have arrested a gambling-addicted taxi driver accused of armed robbery.

Officers say the driver, also unnamed for legal reasons, entered a store in the early hours of March 7, brandishing a weapon.

He reportedly threatened to use the weapon on the store owner if the latter failed to hand over 2 million won ($1,336). The store owner reportedly refused. The taxi driver then allegedly stole a 10,000 won ($6.70) bill from the till and fled the scene.

The driver tried to escape in his taxi, but “was immediately apprehended by the police,” a spokesperson confirmed.

During police questioning, the suspect reportedly confessed that he committed the crime to pay off his gambling debts.

Earlier this month, police in South Gyeongsang Province said six gambling-addicted teenagers took advantage of a gambling amnesty period to turn themselves in at police stations.