[26.01.09] Arrow Fired Near Woman Walking Dog in Downtown Cheongju

Arrow Fired Near Woman Walking Dog in Downtown Cheongju…Near Statue of Peace

📍Shot from 70 Meters Away Late at Night; Regulatory Blind Spot for Bows and Arrows Highlighted

A frightening incident occurred in downtown Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, when an arrow suddenly flew near a woman walking her dog late at night. With the arrow landing close to the Statue of Peace, concerns are growing over public safety and the lack of regulations governing bows and arrows.

A terrifying incident occurred in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, where an arrow flew past a citizen walking their dog late at night.

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🔹 Arrow Lands Beside Woman During Walk
According to police, at around 11:40 p.m. on the 7th, a woman in her 50s reported that she heard a strange sound while walking her dog at Cheongju Youth Plaza in Sangdang-gu and discovered an arrow stuck nearby.

The arrow, approximately 80 centimeters long with a metal tip, was found embedded in a flower bed about 2.5 meters from the woman and 1.5 meters from her dog.

The woman reportedly said she was terrified by the thought that “the person who shot the arrow might be living somewhere nearby.”

🔹 Incident Occurred Near the Statue of Peace
JTBC reported on the 8th that the arrow landed just 2 to 3 meters away from the Statue of Peace. The fact that the incident occurred in a public space accessible to pedestrians late at night has heightened public concern.

🔹 Arrow Launch Captured on CCTV
Police analysis of nearby CCTV footage revealed two men firing the arrow from a distance of approximately 70 meters. The footage shows the men standing behind a vehicle parked on the roadside near the plaza.

One man wearing a baseball jacket retrieved a bow from the trunk, while the other repeatedly pulled and released the string before firing the arrow. Afterward, the two men left the scene in separate vehicles.

🔹 Possible Attempted Murder Charges
Police believe the arrow used was a high-powered archery arrow capable of causing fatal injuries. If it is determined that the suspects intentionally aimed at a person, charges could be elevated from aggravated assault to attempted murder. 

Police are currently tracking suspects by reviewing lists of archery and traditional bow athletes and club members. Two men in their 20s have been booked without detention on charges of aggravated assault.

🔹 Bows and Arrows Outside Legal Oversight
The incident has highlighted that bows and arrows are excluded from legal oversight, unlike firearms or blades. According to the Chungbuk Provincial Police Agency, 22,325 weapons are registered in the province, including 7,402 firearms and 14,923 swords and crossbows.

While these weapons require permits under the Act on the Safety Control of Firearms, Swords, and Explosives, bows and arrows are classified as sports equipment and are not subject to registration or reporting requirements.

🔹 Easy Purchase Raises Crime Concerns
Despite their lethal potential, bows and arrows can be easily purchased online without any qualifications or 신고 obligations. As a result, concerns persist that they could be misused for criminal purposes.

An official from the Korea Archery Association stated that the arrow involved was likely a standard carbon arrow commonly used by archery clubs and for recreational purposes.

🔹 Calls for Institutional Reform
Experts stress the urgent need to address the regulatory gap surrounding bows and arrows. Professor Kim Young-sik of Soonchunhyang University’s Department of Police Administration emphasized the need to classify high-risk bows separately and establish clear standards for use, storage, and transport.

He added that bows should generally be prohibited in public spaces and only allowed in designated venues for competitions or training, noting that managing regular users through organizations and safety education would be a realistic solution.

One-line summary : An arrow fired near a woman walking her dog in downtown Cheongju has exposed regulatory gaps in the control of bows and arrows.