'Two Children Murdered' Wonju Three Siblings Case, Biological Father Sentenced to 23 Years and Biological Mother to 6 Years in Prison Confirmed

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] The 20-something couple accused of causing the deaths of their two children, both under one year old, in the so-called 'Wonju Three Siblings Case' have been sentenced to heavy prison terms.

On the 7th, the Supreme Court's 3rd Division (Presiding Judge) upheld the lower court's sentence of 23 years imprisonment for the biological father, Hwang Mo (27), who was charged with murder and other offenses. His wife, Kwak Mo (25), was sentenced to 6 years in prison for child abuse resulting in death.

In September 2016, Hwang was charged with causing the death of his second daughter, who was 5 months old, by leaving her covered with a thick blanket in a motel room in Wonju, Gangwon Province. In June 2019, he was also charged with causing the death of his third son, who was 9 months old, by pressing his thumb on the child's neck for several tens of seconds. Kwak was accused of knowing about her husband's actions but failing to stop him.

The first trial court acquitted Hwang of the murder charges and sentenced Kwak to 1 year in prison with a 2-year probation for child abuse resulting in death and other charges.

However, the second trial court sentenced Hwang to 23 years in prison and Kwak to 6 years, ordering their detention in court. The second trial court focused on Hwang's confession during the prosecution's investigation. Hwang initially denied the charges but later stated to the prosecution, "When the second daughter started crying, I covered her with a blanket and the crying became quieter." He also submitted a letter of remorse stating, "I feel relieved after confessing."

On this day, the Supreme Court also ruled, "There is no error in the lower court's judgment that violates the rules of logic and experience, exceeds the limits of free evaluation of evidence, or misinterprets the law regarding intent, abusive acts, or foreseeability, and the sentencing is not excessive."

Meanwhile, the court recently ruled to terminate the parental rights of the couple over their only surviving child, the eldest son. The prosecution determined that the parents could no longer exercise parental rights due to serious reasons including child abuse and the murder of their two children, and filed for termination of parental rights in April last year.