Suspect Identity Disclosed in 'Seoul Jung-gu Stalking Murder' Case... 35-Year-Old Kim Byung-chan (Comprehensive)

Disclosure Committee "Considering Public Interest Such as Crime Prevention"
Application of Revised Guidelines Including Prior Notification and Opportunity to Submit Opinions

Suspect Kim Byung-chan (35) in the 'stalking murder' case. [Photo by Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The personal information of Kim Byung-chan (35), who killed his ex-girlfriend after she requested protection due to dating violence and stalking, was disclosed on the 24th.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency held a personal information disclosure review committee meeting that afternoon and decided to disclose Kim's personal information. This committee applied the revised disclosure guidelines, appointed the chairperson from external members, and passed the resolution with the approval of more than two-thirds of the attending members. They also followed procedures to notify Kim in advance and gave him an opportunity to submit his opinion.

The committee explained, "Kim premeditatedly prepared a weapon and went to the victim's residence, resulting in a brutal murder. Kim admitted to the entire crime, and sufficient evidence such as forensic results and CCTV footage was secured," adding, "Considering the public interest such as the crime prevention effect gained from disclosing personal information, it was resolved to disclose the personal information."

Kim is accused of stabbing his ex-girlfriend to death at an officetel in Jeodong, Jung-gu, Seoul on the 19th. The victim, unable to endure months of threats and stalking, applied for protection from dating violence five times this year alone. On the day of the incident, despite making two emergency calls via a smartwatch provided by the police due to threats from Kim who came to her home, she was killed.

According to the suspect’s movements disclosed by the police, Kim traveled to Seoul on the 18th, the day before the crime, bought a hat at a store in Euljiro, Jung-gu, wore it, and purchased a weapon at a nearby mart. He then stayed at a lodging facility in Jongno-gu, where he planned the crime. On the morning of the 19th, at around 11:06 a.m., he checked the victim’s car in the basement level 3 parking lot of the officetel where she lived, went up to the 3rd floor, waited in the hallway for the victim to come out, and attacked her as soon as she appeared.

Kim fled after the crime but was urgently arrested the next day, the 20th, at a lodging facility in Daegu, and was detained on the 22nd.