Victim's Father in Lee Jae-myung's Nephew Murder Case: "No Apology Once... Shameless"

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is answering questions from foreign correspondents at a discussion hosted by the Foreign Press Club held at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 25th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, referred to a murder case involving his nephew, whom he once defended as a "serious case of dating violence," prompting the victim's father to express his feelings, saying, "He is truly shameless."

The victim's father, Mr. A, of the "Gangdong mother and daughter murder case" committed by Lee's nephew Kim in 2006, said in an interview with Munhwa Ilbo on the 26th, "Even though 15 years have passed, my heart still aches whenever I think about that incident," adding, "I will never be able to forget that case until I die."

Previously, Lee's nephew Kim was prosecuted for stabbing his ex-girlfriend and her mother 37 times with a weapon, resulting in their deaths. In 2006, the Seoul Eastern District Court sentenced him to life imprisonment in the first trial.

However, it was later revealed that during the defense process, Lee had argued for a reduced sentence due to his nephew's diminished mental capacity. Lee explained, "One of my relatives committed dating violence in the past, and as the only lawyer in the family, I had no choice but to take on the defense."

Mr. A strongly criticized Lee, saying, "We have to live in pain for our entire lives, and now he shamelessly talks about the past as if showing off."

He also expressed anger at Lee's characterization of the brutal case, in which his daughter and wife were stabbed a total of 37 times with a weapon, as "dating violence."

At the time, Mr. A reportedly fell off the veranda after an argument with Kim and underwent treatment for over a year. He said, "I was seriously injured and hospitalized for 40 days, unable to properly hold a funeral. Whenever I think about it, my head spins and I lose my mind. Even after leaving the hospital, I had to continue rehabilitation therapy for a year."

He also claimed that he has never received an apology from Lee's family since the incident. Mr. A said, "There was no apology even at the time of the incident. Suddenly seeing something resembling an apology on TV, I could only change the channel."

Meanwhile, Lee commented on Mr. A's interview, saying, "I defended him because I am a lawyer. It is a regrettable matter."

At the 'National Town Hall Meeting with the Island Village Relief Angel Doctor Helicopter' held at the emergency medical helicopter hangar in Sinan County, Jeollanam-do, Lee said, "All victims of crimes are wronged, and I handled the matter of a relative whom I cannot say is distant. I spoke about the regrets and grievances involved."

He added, "It is a heartbreaking matter, and I apologize once again. It is a painful matter."

Additionally, Lee apologized on Facebook for referring to the "Gangdong mother and daughter murder case" involving his nephew, whom he defended, as "dating violence." He said, "There was no intention to conceal the case by using the term dating violence," and apologized for the hurt caused by his immature expression.