Spike in demand for self-defense tools after stabbings

Stabbings in Korea have sparked panic and a rush to buy self-defense items including pepper spray, batons and whistles.

The jump in trade occurred between July 21, the day after a stabbing rampage near Seoul's Sillim Station, and August 3, the day of an attack near Seohyeon Station in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, reports the Korea Times.

Interpark Commerce said that online transactions of self-defense gadgets rose by 399 percent from a month earlier.

Data compiled by 11Street showed that the number of male buyers soared 263 percent from a year earlier, while the number of female buyers rose 168 percent.

Department stores and shopping malls reinforced security in response to the copycat crime threats following the stabbing rampage at an AK Plaza department store near Seohyeon Station, the Korea Times said.

Lotte Property & Development, which manages Lotte World Tower and Lotte World Mall, doubled the number of security guards to 130 in response to an online post threatening to kill people at Jamsil Station.

Shinsegae Group set up hotlines between the group's stores nationwide and police stations. The retailer also ordered its security guards to wear stab-proof vests and carry expandable batons, the report added.

Hyundai Department Store ordered its security guards to wear vests printed with "security."

HDC I'Park Mall in Yongsan Station held an emergency meeting after Thursday's stabbing rampage.

The panic also affected the stock market.

On Friday, the stock price of stab-proof vest maker Welcron soared 22 percent. S-1, a security service of Samsung, saw a 5.55 percent increase.