Two men in their twenties have been sent to the Seoul Prosecutor's Office after being charged with attempted kidnapping of minors in Seodaemun-gu. This follows an incident that occurred on August 28 of the previous year, when they attempted to lure children near an elementary school using the pretext of giving them a ride home. Both suspects reportedly approached students and made comments indicating they wished to take them, but their efforts were unsuccessful. In the wake of this incident, President Lee Jae-myung ordered a speedy investigation and better measures concerning child abduction cases.

The initial police response to these serious allegations faced criticism for being inadequate. After receiving the first report, police checks were limited to reviewing distant CCTV footage, which they erroneously concluded was an unfounded report. Following media coverage of the incident, additional reports from parents who experienced similar encounters prompted a renewed investigation. This led to the identification of the suspects and the eventual capture of both men at their residences in Seodaemun-gu.

As for the police's failure to connect the initial report to the crime, officials explained that there were discrepancies in vehicle descriptions provided by the children's parent. This misalignment hindered a proper early investigation, leading to an admission of regret over their initial response. This case highlighting issues within the investigative process raises broader discussions about how authorities handle child safety and abduction prevention protocols in South Korea.