[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] The prosecution has requested a 12-year prison sentence for three Taekwondo black belts in their 20s who were indicted for collectively assaulting a man in his 20s at a club in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, resulting in his death.
On the 26th, at the sentencing hearing held at the Seoul Eastern District Court Criminal Division 12 (Presiding Judge Park Sang-gu), the prosecution asked the court to sentence Kim (21), Lee (21), and Oh (21) to 12 years in prison each.
The prosecution stated, "The defendants focused their attacks on the victim’s vital areas, including the head and upper body, and left the unconscious victim unattended without any action, fleeing the scene. The defendants had ample possibility to foresee that their actions could result in the victim’s death."
They added, "It is believed that the defendants had an implied intent to kill. They should be held jointly responsible as accomplices to murder for the victim’s death."
All three, Kim and the others, are 4th Dan Taekwondo black belts majoring in physical education. They were indicted on charges of assault leading to death after getting into a dispute with the victim, Mr. A, at a club in Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, in the early hours of January 1, ultimately causing his death.
On the day of the crime, they approached Mr. A’s girlfriend at the club and engaged in a physical altercation with Mr. A. When a staff member intervened, they went outside, knocked Mr. A down, and kicked his face, among other assaults. Mr. A was transported to the hospital but died from a cerebral hemorrhage.
They were initially detained on charges of injury resulting in death, but the prosecution judged there was intent in the crime and applied murder charges, forwarding the case to trial.
The sentencing date has been set for the 25th of next month.
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