Incheon, South Korea — YouTube personality Ko Jin-ho, known to his followers as Sutak, vividly described his harrowing experience of being abducted and nearly murdered during a livestream on the video platform Soop. The incident, which occurred on October 26, involved a violent confrontation with a used-car dealer who was alleged to have defrauded him, marking the first time he spoke publicly about the ordeal.
During the livestream, Ko recounted how his meeting with the dealer escalated into a violent attack in the parking lot of his residence. “As I struggled with them, one man hit my chest and head with a baseball bat inside the car,” he said. “It wasn’t something you could do to another human being. He was swinging with the intent to kill.”
The encounter began when Ko had arranged to meet with the dealer, hoping to reclaim 200 million won (about $136,000) he had wired as a down payment for a luxury vehicle. Their relationship spanned back to 2023, when Ko was initially drawn in by an offer to assist with high-end car purchases. After transferring the money and providing his old vehicle, Ko was left waiting indefinitely for the promised new car, leading to their final meeting.
What began as a straightforward financial transaction turned violent when the dealer and an accomplice ambushed Ko, forcing him into their car and driving him over 200 kilometers to a remote area in Geumsan, South Chungcheong Province. During the ordeal, the kidnappers inquired about the amount of money Ko had, with one suggesting that he would be worth “at least 1 billion won.”
Ko expressed the depth of his fear during the incident, saying, “At that moment, I thought, ‘If you’re going to kill me, please let it be painless.’” Fortunately, police were able to track the suspects’ vehicle through surveillance footage, leading to a rescue operation in the early hours of October 27.
Following the release, Ko shared a photo showing the aftermath of the attack, where he sustained visible injuries, including facial swelling and bruising. He also revealed ongoing battles with hearing and vision impairment and the psychological impacts of the traumatic experience, stating, “I’m being treated for PTSD. I am terrified when I step outside or when someone walks behind me in the same direction.”
Despite the violence he faced, Ko experienced a surge in popularity following the incident, surpassing 1 million subscribers on his YouTube channel. “I won’t let this stop me,” he stated, vowing to continue creating content.
The two suspects were apprehended and formally charged on November 21 with a variety of offenses, including attempted murder and illegal confinement. The charge of attempted murder carries a potential prison sentence of 10 years to life, highlighting the gravity of the crime committed against Ko.