Supreme Court Confirms 17-Year Sentence for Man Who Killed Son and Mother and Aided Wife's Suicide

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] A man who killed his mother and 12-year-old son due to economic despair and allowed his wife, who conspired in the crime, to commit suicide has been sentenced to 17 years in prison.

On the 5th, the Supreme Court's 2nd Division (Presiding Justice Ahn Cheolsang) confirmed the original sentence of 17 years in prison in the appeal trial of Mr. A, who was charged with killing a direct ascendant and assisting suicide.

Mr. A was put on trial for killing his mother and son with nitrogen gas last April after his wife, who ran a real estate company, was burdened with about 3 billion won in debt and was harassed by debt collectors.

He conspired with his wife to commit the murders together and planned to end their lives, but he survived and was also charged with assisting his wife's suicide.

The first trial recognized all of Mr. A's charges and sentenced him to 12 years in prison.

The second trial increased his sentence to 17 years. At that time, the court stated, "The Criminal Act defines the killing of oneself or a spouse's direct ascendant as a highly inhumane and immoral act, imposing heavier punishment than general murder," and pointed out, "The son lost his life at an age when he should have been growing up, without understanding the reason."

The Supreme Court also agreed with this judgment. The court dismissed Mr. A's appeal, stating, "It cannot be said that the original sentence of 17 years in prison is seriously unjust."