This photo, taken, July 24, shows self-defense products available to buy in a store in Seoul. Yonhap



By Jung Da-hyun



Growing concerns over the possible criminal use of self-defense weapons are sparking calls for tougher regulations on the products.



Fears come in the wake of a heinous crime involving a 30-year-old man who assaulted a woman, on a hiking trail in southern Seoul, with two brass knuckles, after which, he raped her, Thursday. The victim died, Saturday.



"It scared me because it is so easy to buy them online, and I also wonder if I can actually use brass knuckles in self-defense in an urgent situation," said Lee So-heon, 26, a university student who also lives in southern Seoul.



The latest attack adds to a recent string of violent crimes that have alarmed the public. Ahead of the murder case, a knife-wielding rampage occurred near Sillim Station, July 21, followed by a similar incident at Seohyeon Station in Gyeonggi Province, Aug. 3, which sparked a surge in the sales of self-defense weapons.



According to Interpark, an online shopping website, sales quadrupled as of July 22, one day after the stabbing attack at Sillim Station, through Aug. 3, compared to the same period a month earlier ― from June 22 to July 3. In addition, one day after the Seohyeon Station stabbing, sales saw a dramatic surge, equaling the total orders of the preceding 12 days.





The suspect, second from right, charged with rape and murder at Sillim-dong, Seoul, leaves Seoul Gwanak Police station after an investigation, Saturday. Yonhap