30s Man Who Murdered Workplace Senior's Fianc?e While Attempting Sexual Assault Sentenced to Life Imprisonment on Appeal

Court: "Heinous and Inhumane Crime"

Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] A man in his 30s who murdered his workplace senior’s fianc?e while attempting to sexually assault her was sentenced to life imprisonment again in the second trial, following the first trial.

On the 20th, the Criminal Division 1 of the Gwangju High Court (Presiding Judges Kim Taeho, Yang Younghee, Hong Giman) dismissed both the prosecution’s and Jeong’s appeals in the appeal trial of Jeong Mo (38), who was detained and indicted on charges of violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (rape and murder), and sentenced him to life imprisonment, the same as the original sentence.

The court also upheld the orders for completing a 40-hour sexual violence treatment program, a 10-year employment ban at institutions related to children, adolescents, and the disabled, and public disclosure of personal information.

The court stated, “Jeong’s crime was heinous and inhumane, and was committed during the recidivism period,” adding, “The death penalty is a punishment that permanently takes away human life itself, and it is difficult to consider it an ideal judicial system of a civilized country,” explaining the sentencing rationale.

Jeong was detained and indicted on charges of causing the death of A (aged 43 at the time of death), his senior’s fianc?e, while attempting to commit a sexual crime against her at an apartment in Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do, on May 27 last year.

Jeong visited A’s home, whom he was acquainted with, and attempted to rape her. A resisted and fell from the 6th floor of the apartment onto a flower bed.

It was investigated that Jeong did not transport the victim, who had fallen onto the flower bed, to the hospital but moved her back into the apartment and strangled her to death.

In particular, evidence showed that Jeong planned the crime, as he covered his face with a towel and changed clothes once before visiting the apartment.

Previously, Jeong served a total of 10 years in prison for two sexual crimes and was released in 2018. However, he committed the crime while wearing an electronic ankle bracelet and visiting A’s apartment.

The prosecution sought the death penalty last year, stating, “The method of the crime was brutal, and it is necessary to isolate him from society forever.”