"A Mother Who Killed Her Two Sons Due to Financial Hardship Admits All Charges in First Trial"

"Not Committed the Crime Out of Revenge Against Husband"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] A woman in her 40s who killed her two elementary school-aged sons after struggling with financial difficulties in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, admitted all charges in her first trial.

The Criminal Division 14 of the Seoul Southern District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Dong-hyun) held the first hearing on the afternoon of the 25th at 3:20 PM for Kim Mo (41), who was indicted on murder charges.

At the trial, Kim's defense attorney stated, "We admit all the charges." Kim also said in a choked voice, "I admit everything."

However, Kim's defense attorney argued, "The claim that this crime was committed out of revenge against her husband is misleading," adding, "What parent would harm their children out of revenge?"

When asked by the court if she had any final words, Kim replied in a tearful voice, "I was going through severe financial hardship," and said, "I was wrong. I committed a grave sin."

Kim is accused of strangling her two elementary school-aged sons to death in a multi-family house in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, on the 5th of last month. After the crime, Kim attempted suicide three times but failed and then surrendered to the police.

During the police investigation, Kim reportedly stated that she killed her children due to financial difficulties caused by debts exceeding 100 million won while separated from her husband.

The police applied for an arrest warrant on the 9th of last month, and the Seoul Southern District Court issued the warrant, citing concerns about the risk of flight.

The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office, which received the case, summoned Kim's husband and relatives for investigation and analyzed forensic data from mobile phones to determine the motive and whether the crime was premeditated before formally indicting Kim.

Kim's defense team requested to call her husband as a witness, and the court said, "Check the husband's willingness."

The next trial for Kim is scheduled for June 15.