Shocking Birthday Tragedy: Korean Father Kills Son with Homemade Gun, Police Find Explosives at His Home

The Shocking Crime That Stunned Korea

On July 20, 2025, what should have been a joyful birthday celebration turned into one of Korea's most shocking domestic violence cases in recent memory. A 62-year-old man, identified only as Mr. Cho, shot and killed his 33-year-old son using a homemade firearm during a birthday party at the victim's apartment in Songdo International City, Incheon. The incident occurred at approximately 9:31 PM, sending shockwaves through a country where gun violence is extremely rare due to strict firearm regulations. What makes this case even more disturbing is that the celebration was actually for the father's birthday, not the son's, making the betrayal of trust even more profound. The victim had invited his father over to celebrate, gathering with his wife, two young children, and a friend for what appeared to be a normal family occasion. However, beneath the surface of this seemingly ordinary gathering lay deep-seated family conflicts that would ultimately explode into violence, leaving a family destroyed and a community in shock.

A Calculated Act of Violence

The attack was not a spontaneous act of rage but a carefully premeditated murder that unfolded in front of horrified family members. According to witness accounts and police statements, Mr. Cho participated in the birthday celebration for about two hours, sharing cake, conversation, and family photos with his daughter-in-law, two young grandchildren, and a guest. The atmosphere seemed normal until shortly after the birthday song ended, when Cho told the family he was stepping out to visit a convenience store. However, instead of making a simple errand run, he retrieved a homemade firearm he had stored in his rental car parked outside the building. When he returned to the 33rd-floor apartment, his unsuspecting son opened the door only to be confronted with the barrel of a crude weapon fashioned from a steel pipe. Cho fired three shots in total - two struck his son in the chest and side, proving fatal, while the third bullet hit the front door. The brutality didn't end there, as Cho then aimed the weapon at his son's friend and pulled the trigger twice more, though fortunately both attempts misfired. The calculated nature of this attack becomes even more chilling when considering that Cho had brought the weapon specifically for this occasion, suggesting he had been planning this violent act for some time.

Terror Continues as Father Targets Family

The horror escalated as Cho attempted to pursue his daughter-in-law and grandchildren, turning what was already a tragic murder into a potential mass casualty event. After shooting his son, Cho allegedly reloaded his weapon and began shouting at his daughter-in-law, who had first hidden the two children in a bedroom before coming back out to help her critically injured husband. As she retreated to protect the children, Cho pointed the gun at her as well and attempted to force his way into the room where she had barricaded herself and the children. The terrified woman managed to call police while Cho repeatedly tried to break down the door, yelling for her to come out. His ex-wife later told media that this demonstrated the premeditated and calculated nature of the attack, stating that Cho had brutally murdered an innocent victim in front of his family. The psychological trauma inflicted on the surviving family members, particularly the young children who witnessed their grandfather kill their father, cannot be overstated. After failing to gain access to the rest of the family, Cho fled the scene in his rental car, beginning a three-hour manhunt that would end with his capture in Seoul's Seocho District at approximately 12:20 AM. The delay in police response - they arrived at the scene around 11 PM, about 1.5 hours after the initial report - was due to concerns that the suspect might still be in the building, prompting authorities to wait for the Special Operations Unit before breaching the apartment.

Explosive Discovery Reveals Deeper Plot

The investigation took an even more sinister turn when police discovered that Cho had planted homemade explosives in his Seoul apartment, revealing the full extent of his deadly preparations. During questioning, Cho confessed to installing explosive devices in his residence in Ssangmun-dong, Dobong-gu, leading to the immediate evacuation of 105 residents from the building. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's bomb squad worked through the night to safely remove what turned out to be 15 separate explosive devices, including containers filled with gasoline, paint thinner, and other flammable materials connected to timer mechanisms. The explosives were constructed using everyday items like PET bottles, detergent jugs, and milk cartons, all rigged with ignition systems and set to detonate at noon on July 21 - just hours after the shooting. Police intervened approximately seven hours before the scheduled detonation time, potentially preventing a massive explosion that could have killed or injured dozens of innocent residents. The sophisticated nature of these devices, combined with the homemade firearm, suggests that Cho had been planning this violent spree for an extended period. When asked about his motive for the explosives, Cho told police he wasn't planning on going back home and had set the timer for noon to minimize damage to other residents, showing a twisted sense of consideration even in his destructive planning. The discovery of these explosives transformed what was already a shocking murder case into a potential terrorism incident, highlighting the broader threat Cho posed to public safety.

The Weapon and the Method Behind the Madness

Perhaps most disturbing is how easily Cho was able to create his deadly arsenal using information readily available online, raising serious questions about the accessibility of weapons-making instructions. Police recovered not just the murder weapon but an entire cache of homemade firearms and components from both Cho's vehicle and residence. In addition to the pipe-style firearm used in the murder, investigators found nine additional gun barrels in the passenger seat and trunk of his rental car, along with 86 rounds of ammunition he was carrying at the time of his arrest. During questioning, Cho admitted to police that he had learned how to construct the firearm by watching YouTube tutorials, and that he had purchased the ammunition separately from another individual. The weapon itself was described as a crude but effective device made from a cut metal pipe, loaded with metal pellets to maximize damage. This revelation has reignited concerns in Korea about the ease with which individuals can access weapons-making instructions through online platforms, particularly YouTube, where such content remains readily available despite the potential for misuse. The fact that Cho, who had no military or law enforcement background and previously ran his own business, could successfully create such a deadly weapon using only online tutorials is deeply troubling to authorities and the public alike. Police also discovered additional materials in his apartment that could be used for making more weapons, suggesting his preparations were even more extensive than initially realized.

Family Tragedy Rooted in Decades of Conflict

The roots of this horrific crime trace back more than two decades to a family torn apart by divorce, criminal behavior, and financial disputes. Cho had been divorced from his wife for over 20 years, living alone since the separation while harboring deep resentment toward his son for allegedly siding with his mother during the divorce proceedings. Court records reveal that Cho had a troubling criminal history, including a 1999 conviction for rape causing injury, for which he received a suspended sentence of two years and six months in prison. The family reportedly divorced soon after this conviction, creating a permanent rift that would fester for decades. In recent police questioning, Cho refused to elaborate on his specific motives, telling investigators simply that there were family conflicts and not to try to understand. However, his ex-wife provided crucial insight into the long-standing tensions, explaining that Cho blamed their son for supporting her during their acrimonious divorce. The financial aspect of the conflict also played a role, with recent reports suggesting that Cho was upset about the end of financial support from his ex-wife's company. Neighbors in Cho's Seoul apartment building described him as increasingly isolated and antisocial in recent years, noting that he had begun wearing his hat low and avoiding eye contact with residents. They also reported seeing him carrying strange containers recently, which in hindsight likely contained components for his explosive devices. The tragedy highlights how unresolved family conflicts, combined with mental health issues and criminal history, can escalate into unthinkable violence when left unchecked over many years.

Community Impact and Korea's Rare Gun Violence

This shooting has profoundly shaken Korean society, where gun violence is virtually unheard of due to some of the world's strictest firearm regulations. The rarity of such incidents in Korea makes this case particularly shocking to the public, with many residents expressing disbelief that such violence could occur in their peaceful neighborhoods. One resident from the Songdo apartment complex told media, I heard a loud bang out of nowhere... I can't believe a shooting happened in Korea, while another added, My hands are still shaking. I don't understand how something like this could happen in our neighborhood. The incident has also raised serious concerns about domestic violence and the need for better intervention systems to prevent family conflicts from escalating to such deadly levels. The victim's family has expressed strong opposition to revealing the suspect's identity, citing concerns about secondary harm to the surviving relatives, particularly the young children who witnessed the attack. This request reflects the deep trauma inflicted on the innocent family members who must now rebuild their lives while dealing with the psychological scars of witnessing such violence. The case has also prompted discussions about mental health support systems and the need for better identification of individuals who might pose risks to their families or communities. Law enforcement agencies are reviewing their protocols for handling domestic disputes and considering whether additional measures could have prevented this tragedy. The broader implications of this case extend beyond just one family, serving as a wake-up call about the potential for domestic violence to escalate into mass casualty events when combined with easily accessible weapons-making information and unaddressed mental health issues.