Man in his 50s found with gunshot wound to the head in Seoul

A man in his 50s was found shot in the head around 5:33 a.m. Tuesday morning on a road near a park in Jamwon-dong of Seocho District, western Seoul, and was taken to a nearby hospital where he is receiving treatment.

Seocho Police Station in Seocho District, western Seoul. [YONHAP]

A man in his 50s was found shot in the head around 5:33 a.m. Tuesday morning on a road near a park in Jamwon-dong of Seocho District, western Seoul, and was taken to a nearby hospital where he is receiving treatment.

The man, who reportedly had a bullet go through his skull and is in critical condition, is undergoing surgery as of Tuesday afternoon.

An official from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said the bullet was fired from a registered 38-caliber pistol, which was found near the man.

“The gun is not a model currently used by the police,” said the official. “We suspect that it was a gun owned by the late father of the man who was a soldier during his lifetime, and we are looking into this possibility.”

The police believe it was a suicide attempt and plan to investigate the circumstances in which a civilian had a pistol in possession.

If you or someone you know is feeling emotionally distressed or struggling with thoughts of suicide, LifeLine Korea can be contacted at 1588-9191 or the Crisis Counseling Center at 1577-0199. The Seoul Global Center offers English-language counseling, contact 02-2075-4180 (+1) to arrange a session. Other international helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.

BY LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]