The victim who was abducted from an parking lot in Songdo, Incheon, on the afternoon of Oct. 26 and rescued roughly four hours later has been identified as gaming YouTuber Sutak (Go Jin-ho, 31), who boasts more than 1 million subscribers.
On Oct. 29, his agency Sandbox Network shared an update via Sutak’s YouTube community, writing that it wanted to address “the incident that’s been reported by media and online,” and confirming he was the victim. “Sutak is currently hospitalized and awaiting surgery, and he is focusing on treatment and recovery,” the company said.
Sandbox Network added that the creator’s “health and stability are the top priority,” noting it will fully support his recovery and “actively pursue all necessary measures, including legal action.” Sutak sustained serious facial injuries in the attack but is not in life-threatening condition.
Incheon Yeonsu Police sought arrest warrants on Oct. 28 for two suspects―one in his 20s (A) and another in his 30s (B)―on charges including attempted murder, after they allegedly abducted Sutak from an underground parking lot in Songdo and beat him with a blunt object on Oct. 26. Authorities upgraded the case from initial allegations under the Act on Punishment of Violent Acts (joint confinement and joint assault) in light of the severity of the crime.
The assailants allegedly forced Sutak into a vehicle and drove about 200 kilometers to Geumsan in South Chungcheong Province. Police were able to apprehend the suspects in a park roughly four hours after the incident began, aided by the fact that Sutak, feeling unsafe before meeting them, had proactively filed a report with authorities.
During questioning, Sutak told police he had a debt-related dispute with suspect A. Online, fans have pointed to his broadcast earlier this month in which he said he was defrauded by an acquaintance in a Ferrari purchase contract worth about 250 million won, speculating the two incidents could be linked. Police have not confirmed any connection and are still determining motive.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)