Lee Su-jeong: "Lee Eun-hae and Jo Hyun-soo may still be hiding in Korea... There may be more than one victim"

"Possibility of Illegal Escape Cannot Be Ruled Out... If Accomplices Help, They May Still Be in Korea"

Suspect Lee Eun-hae (left) and accomplice Jo Hyun-soo in the 'Gapyeong Valley Murder Case.' Photo by Incheon District Prosecutors' Office.

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] As the whereabouts of Lee Eunhae (31) and her accomplice Jo Hyunsoo (30), suspects in the 'Gapyeong Valley Murder,' remain unknown for the fourth month since their public manhunt was issued, experts have suggested that they may still be hiding within South Korea.

Professor Lee Soojeong of the Department of Criminal Psychology at Kyonggi University appeared on CBS Radio's 'Hanpanseungbu' on the 7th and said, "There is a very high likelihood that there is an accomplice. It is also highly likely that the victim is not just one person. If the accomplice is helping, it is not impossible that they are still in Korea."

When asked, "Why is the investigation so difficult?" Professor Lee replied, "Because they are in hiding," adding, "Did you know that South Korea's murder case clearance rate is 99%? Our country is the safest in the world. I believe (Lee and Jo) will be caught."

However, Professor Lee pointed out, "It is difficult to completely rule out the possibility of illegal departure." He said, "There is evidence that (Lee and Jo) sued people who left malicious comments and received settlement money. They have money for now," adding, "There is no law preventing them from using that money to illegally leave the country, but I think they are still hiding in Korea."

Professor Lee Su-jeong, Department of Criminal Psychology, Kyonggi University.
Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, Lee was publicly wanted along with her lover Jo for allegedly murdering her husband Yoon (39 at the time of death) on June 30, 2019, at Yongsogyeok Valley in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province. The prosecution believes they forced Yoon, who could not swim at all, to dive and then did not rescue him, leading to his death.

They are also suspected of attempting to kill Yoon earlier that year in February and May by feeding him food mixed with pufferfish poison and by drowning him in fishing waters.

The prosecution concluded that Lee killed her husband to claim the 800 million won life insurance policy taken out in his name. Five months after Yoon's death, Lee filed a claim for the life insurance money but was denied. The insurance company reportedly refused payment suspecting fraudulent activity. The two have been missing since their first interrogation by the prosecution on December 13 last year.

Meanwhile, the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency will investigate suspicions surrounding the deaths of Lee's ex-boyfriends in Incheon and Thailand. The suspicious deaths related to Lee include two cases: 'Thailand snorkeling death' and 'Incheon Seokbawi traffic accident death.'