"Sorry. For Now" Serial Killer Kim Taehyun, Shamelessness in 'Seven Characters' [Han Seunggon's Case Notebook]

Kim Taehyun's 'Sorry' Attitude Seems Reflective Day After Day
Prefaces Apology with 'For Now'
"Even Opening My Eyes and Breathing Feels Guilty"
Kneels and Apologizes After Asking Police Officer to "Let Go of My Arm"
Immediately Lowers Mask When Asked to Remove It
Expert: "Regardless of Reason, No Genuine Apology or Reflective Attitude Seen"

Kim Tae-hyun, who is accused of murdering the 'three mothers' in an apartment in Nowon-gu, Seoul, is taking off his mask as he leaves Dobong Police Station in Seoul on the morning of the 9th to be transferred to the prosecution.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "I'm sorry. For now."

This is what Kim Taehyun (25), the so-called 'Nowon-gu three mothers' serial killer, uttered to reporters after being questioned by the police on the 5th. It was a brief statement implying remorse for his crime. It consists of seven characters in Korean.

Currently, Kim Taehyun repeatedly says "I'm sorry," showing an attitude that seems remorseful. During the prosecution transfer process on the 9th, he even knelt down in front of the press, saying "I'm sorry."

When reporters asked, "Do you have anything to say to the bereaved families?" he replied, "I feel a lot of guilt just being shamelessly awake and breathing like this," and added, "I apologize to everyone who was harmed because of me." When asked questions such as "When did you start planning the crime?" he only repeated "I'm sorry."

Are all of Kim Taehyun's words and actions sincere? Experts analyzed that Kim Taehyun might be apologizing with the intention of managing the current situation for now.

Looking closely at Kim Taehyun's words, there is one word that seems to roughly gloss over the situation.

On the 5th, Kim said "I'm sorry" to reporters but added the premise "for now." The word "for now" is usually used in daily life to gloss over a situation.

Because of this, there are criticisms that although Kim Taehyun appears to be remorseful by saying sorry, in reality, he might not be at all. Also, since he was caught by the police after committing a horrific crime, it can be interpreted that he is apologizing "for now" as a stance.

Experts pointed out that there is no sign of a remorseful attitude when looking at the context of Kim Taehyun's statements.

Professor Oh Yoon-sung of the Department of Police Administration at Soonchunhyang University emphasized, "Currently, Kim Taehyun does not seem to be remorseful at all." He added, "Saying 'I'm sorry. For now' is like saying 'Whatever the reason, I apologize.' It’s like saying, 'Can you understand the feelings that led me to commit such acts?' But in the current situation, Kim Taehyun had no choice but to say 'I'm sorry for now,' so it seems he said that."

Kim Tae-hyun, who is accused of murdering the 'three mothers' in an apartment in Nowon-gu, Seoul, is seen kneeling and apologizing as he leaves Dobong Police Station in Seoul on the morning of the 9th to be transferred to the prosecution.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

"Could you please let go of my arm for a moment?"

This was Kim Taehyun's attitude in front of reporters on the 9th, following the 5th. He said this to the police officer holding his arm as he knelt down, bowing his head. Experts also pointed out that this is not an attitude of apology or remorse but that he only says what he wants to say.

Professor Lim Joon-tae of Dongguk University's Department of Police Science said in an interview with YTN on the 9th, after observing Kim Taehyun's attitude, "Ah, this is a bit extreme," and analyzed, "This is not a genuine attitude of apology or remorse."

Professor Lim said, "Kim Taehyun showed an expression as if calmly reading a prepared script, so I think this is not a genuine attitude of apology or remorse."

Regarding Kim Taehyun looking at the press leisurely at the photo line, he said, "This is a rare case," and pointed out, "Based on the psychological states of criminals I have experienced so far, this is a unique pattern of a criminal that cannot be analyzed."

Professor Lim added, "Ordinary criminals, as time passes, show remorse for their actions and worry about their future lives, so when they stand at the photo line, they generally lower their heads or have difficulty speaking. But Kim Taehyun showed a completely different attitude, which enrages the public as a very bad criminal."

He continued, "Seeing that he even showed a strange reaction trying to appear confident to the media, this is difficult to explain with the usual types of serial killers or serious criminals."

Suspect Kim Tae-hyun in the 'Nowon Three Mothers Murder Case' is leaving a PC room in Nowon-gu, Seoul, on the 23rd of last month, the day of the incident. [Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ Kim Taehyun, who knelt and said "I'm sorry," what crime did he commit?

Although Kim Taehyun repeatedly says he is sorry, his crime process was meticulous and brutal.

According to media reports, Kim reportedly stated that he committed the crime because he was hurt by remarks that demeaned him in a group chat where the eldest daughter of the victims, Ms. A, was present.

Kim Taehyun made a detailed plan to commit the crime. On the afternoon of the 23rd of last month, around 5:30 PM, he disguised himself as a courier service worker and broke into the house. He then killed the youngest daughter, Ms. B (24), who was at home, and the mother, Ms. C (59), who returned home in the afternoon. He then committed the crime against Ms. A, who came home later. The victims died at the scene from fatal wounds to their necks.

After the crime, Kim Taehyun began bizarre behavior next to the bodies. He stayed at the scene for three days, during which he drank alcohol. He also attempted to reset his phone to cover up the crime. Eventually, he was caught by the police with multiple self-inflicted wounds on his neck, wrists, and abdomen.

Currently, he keeps repeating "I'm sorry."