Police Refer Former Prosecutor to Prosecution on Forgery Charges in 2024 Knife Attack Case

Police said Thursday they have referred a former prosecutor and two other officials to the prosecution on forgery charges in connection with a 2024 knife attack. The three officials worked at the National Intelligence Service during its probe of the incident last year and were referred on July 3.

In an internal report, the former prosecutor is suspected of stating that a cutter knife was used instead of the 18-centimeter knife actually involved.

Background on the Attack The National Intelligence Service had concluded the attack was not a terror case based on the report. Police believe the former prosecutor intentionally drafted the report with false information to reach that conclusion. The government formally designated the attack as a terror case in January.

The former prosecutor is currently standing trial on separate charges related to gifting a painting to secure an election nomination.

With the referrals, police will conclude their special task force investigation launched in January into the attack and the government's response. Investigators also found another attempt by the attacker to target the victim in December 2023, bringing the total to six attempts.

Analysis of the attacker's mobile phone and YouTube history indicated the attacker may have developed extreme views through selective content consumption. The Supreme Court finalized a 15-year prison term for the attacker in February 2025.