Father's Shocking Birthday Shooting: Homemade Gun Kills Son in Incheon Apartment

## The Shocking Birthday Tragedy That Stunned South Korea

What was supposed to be a joyful birthday celebration turned into South Korea's most shocking domestic crime of 2025. On July 20th, in a luxurious apartment complex in Songdo International City, Incheon, a 63-year-old father named Cho fatally shot his 34-year-old son with a homemade shotgun during his own birthday party. The incident has sent shockwaves through Korean society, where gun violence is extremely rare due to strict firearm regulations. The victim had organized the family gathering to celebrate his father's birthday, inviting his wife, two young children, and close friends. What started as a loving gesture ended in unimaginable tragedy when the father stepped out briefly, retrieved a pipe-shaped homemade weapon from his rental car, and fired two rounds into his son's chest. The domestic shooting has raised serious concerns about the accessibility of DIY weapon tutorials online and the potential for copycat crimes.

## From Celebration to Carnage: Timeline of the Fatal Evening

The tragic events unfolded rapidly on that Sunday evening in Songdo. At approximately 9:31 PM, emergency services received a frantic call from the victim's wife, reporting that her father-in-law had shot her husband. The birthday gathering was taking place on the 33rd floor of the apartment complex, attended by six people including the victim's wife, two grandchildren, and family friends. According to police investigations, the suspect had briefly excused himself from the celebration, claiming he needed to get something from his car. He returned with a crude, pipe-style homemade shotgun loaded with buckshot containing steel pellets. Without warning, he fired two shots directly into his son's chest and abdomen, then fired another shot toward the door before fleeing the scene. The victim was immediately rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead at 11:09 PM despite emergency medical efforts. The suspect's escape triggered a massive manhunt across the Seoul metropolitan area, with heavily armed police units deployed to locate the dangerous fugitive.

## The Arrest and Discovery of a Homemade Arsenal

The manhunt for the suspect lasted approximately three hours before police successfully apprehended him in Seoul's Seocho District at 12:20 AM on Monday. During his arrest, officers discovered he was still carrying the homemade weapon used in the shooting. However, the investigation took an even more alarming turn when the suspect revealed he had installed explosive devices at his residence in Dobong District, northern Seoul. Police immediately evacuated 105 residents from the apartment building and deployed a specialized bomb disposal unit. The search of his home uncovered a shocking cache of 15 improvised explosive devices, constructed from plastic bottles filled with thinner and connected to timers and ignition devices. Several bombs were set to detonate at noon the following day, potentially causing massive casualties. In addition to the explosives, police seized a total of 15 homemade guns from his car and residence, along with 86 rounds of improvised buckshot and multiple metal pipes intended as gun barrels. The discovery revealed the extent of the suspect's preparation and raised questions about how long he had been planning this violence.

## The Dark Family History Behind the Violence

As investigators delved deeper into the case, a troubling family history emerged that provided context for the shocking violence. The suspect cited decades-long resentment stemming from a bitter divorce over 20 years ago as his primary motivation. Court records revealed that in 1999, the suspect was convicted of rape causing injury and sentenced to two years and six months in prison, suspended for four years. The conviction led to his divorce shortly afterward, creating a permanent rift in the family. During police questioning, the suspect blamed his son for siding with his ex-wife during the divorce proceedings, claiming they frequently argued about family matters. He had lived alone since the divorce, harboring growing resentment toward his son whom he viewed as having betrayed him. The victim's family later disputed some of these claims, suggesting the suspect had intended to harm not just his son but also his daughter-in-law and grandchildren. This revelation painted an even more disturbing picture of premeditated violence against multiple family members, making the tragedy even more heartbreaking for those who knew the family.

## YouTube Tutorials and the Homemade Weapon Crisis

One of the most alarming aspects of this case has been the suspect's admission that he learned to construct the deadly weapons by watching tutorial videos on YouTube. During police interrogation, he openly stated that online platforms provided detailed instructions for creating homemade firearms using readily available materials like steel pipes, metal rods, and even cardboard. A simple search of keywords such as DIY gun or homemade pistol on YouTube reveals numerous videos demonstrating weapon construction techniques. These tutorials provide step-by-step instructions, from operating principles to specific materials needed, and even include blueprints for 3D-printed components. The ease of access to such dangerous information has sparked widespread concern among law enforcement officials and public safety experts. The suspect's weapon was described by police as crude but effective, consisting of a metal pipe barrel capable of firing buckshot rounds with lethal force. This case has highlighted a significant gap in online content regulation, as platforms struggle to monitor and remove potentially dangerous instructional content.

## Public Reaction and Community Safety Concerns

The shooting has generated intense discussion across Korean online communities, with reactions ranging from shock to calls for stricter regulations. On popular forums like Naver and Daum, users expressed disbelief that such violence could occur in South Korea's typically safe society. Many commenters focused on the rarity of gun violence in Korea, where private firearm ownership is heavily regulated and shooting incidents are extremely uncommon. The discovery of homemade explosive devices has particularly alarmed residents, with many questioning how such dangerous materials could be assembled without detection. Social media platforms have been flooded with discussions about online safety and the need for better monitoring of weapon-making tutorials. Some users have called for immediate action to remove DIY weapon content from video platforms, while others have expressed concern about potential copycat crimes. The case has also reignited debates about domestic violence prevention and mental health support systems, as many observers noted warning signs that might have been addressed earlier. International media coverage has portrayed the incident as highly unusual for South Korea, emphasizing the country's reputation as having one of the world's lowest rates of gun violence.

## Government Response and Policy Changes

In response to this unprecedented incident, South Korean authorities have announced significant policy changes aimed at preventing similar tragedies. The National Police Agency moved up the annual voluntary surrender period for illegal weapons, now running from August 1 to September 30, with immunity granted to those who turn in dangerous items. Police have also committed to strengthening monitoring of online content related to firearm manufacturing, with plans to implement AI-based systems for automatically detecting and requesting removal of illegal instructional posts. The penalties for manufacturing or possessing homemade weapons are severe, with offenders facing up to 15 years in prison or fines of up to 100 million won (approximately $72,000 USD). Law enforcement agencies are now working closely with major internet platforms to develop more effective content moderation policies. The case has also prompted discussions about expanding mental health resources and improving domestic violence intervention programs. Government officials have emphasized that while this incident was shocking, South Korea remains one of the safest countries in the world, with comprehensive gun control measures that have prevented similar tragedies in the past. The swift police response and successful prevention of the explosive devices from detonating has been praised as evidence of effective law enforcement capabilities.