Woo Bum-kon incident

Quick Facts: Who was Woo Bum-kon incident?

Subject:

Woo Bum-kon incident

Known for:

The 1982 spree killing in Uiryeong County, South Korea; deadliest mass shooting.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Woo Bum-kon incident (Korean: 우범곤 사건), also known as the Uiryeong shooting incident (의령 총기 사건) or Officer Woo incident (우 순경 사건), was a spree killing that occurred during the night from April 26 to April 27, 1982, in Uiryeong County, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. Policeman Woo Bum-kon murdered 56 people and wounded around 35 others in four villages using two stolen rifles and explosives. Woo killed himself in a suicide bombing with three hostages before a police response. It remains the deadliest mass shooting in South Korea’s history. In the aftermath of the attack, several high-profile South Korean politicians resigned or were suspended, and a commission was formed to assess the handling of the massacre by the police.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

In 2024, a memorial to the victims of the attack was established in Uiryeong. It remained the deadliest killing spree carried out by a single perpetrator in modern history until it was surpassed by the 2011 Norway attacks, in which Anders Behring Breivik killed 77 people. Woo Bum-kon (also romanized as Wou Bom-kon; Korean: 우범곤; Hanja: 禹范坤; born November 5, 1955) was born in Choryang, located in Dong District, Busan. His father was also a policeman, and he aspired to follow in his footsteps. He had served in the Marines, where he was recognized as a skilled marksman until his discharge in 1978.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In December 1980, Woo joined the National Police in Busan. He was reportedly still well-regarded for his marksmanship and from April to December 1981, Woo was assigned to "special duty" as a guard at the Blue House. However, Woo was informally demoted due to complaints regarding his "severe drinking habits and violent temper", and stationed to Gungnyu myeon in Uiryeong County. He lived in Apgok ri, where he began dating a local woman, Chun Mal-soon. Within a few months, the pair moved in together with plans of marriage, but Chun's family refused to sanction the relationship due to Woo's alcohol problems.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1955: 1955 Milestone — Woo Bum-kon (also romanized as Wou Bom-kon; Korean: 우범곤; Hanja: 禹范坤; born November 5, 1955) was born in Choryang, located in Dong District, Busan.
2. 1978: 1978 Milestone — He had served in the Marines, where he was recognized as a skilled marksman until his discharge in 1978.
3. 1980: 1980 Milestone — In December 1980, Woo joined the National Police in Busan.
4. 1981: 1981 Milestone — He was reportedly still well-regarded for his marksmanship and from April to December 1981, Woo was assigned to "special duty" as a guard at the Blue House.
5. 1982: 1982 Milestone — The Woo Bum-kon incident (Korean: 우범곤 사건), also known as the Uiryeong shooting incident (의령 총기 사건) or Officer Woo incident (우 순경 사건), was a spree killing that occurred during the night from April 26 to April 27, 1982, in Uiryeong County, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.
6. 2011: 2011 Milestone — It remained the deadliest killing spree carried out by a single perpetrator in modern history until it was surpassed by the 2011 Norway attacks, in which Anders Behring Breivik killed 77 people.
7. 2024: 2024 Milestone — In 2024, a memorial to the victims of the attack was established in Uiryeong.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Woo Bum-kon incident

True or False: “The Woo Bum-kon incident was the deadliest mass shooting in South Korea's history until 2011.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While it was historically significant, the text notes that its record as the deadliest spree killing by a single perpetrator was surpassed by the 2011 Norway attacks.

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