Partial KakaoTalk Conversation Revealed... "Exchanged as a Joke"
Suspect Lee Eun-hae (left) and accomplice Jo Hyun-soo in the valley murder case, currently in custody [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Nayeon] Messages exchanged between Lee Eunhae (31), the suspect in the 'Valley Murder' case, and an acquaintance have revealed conversations suggesting an attempt to drown her accomplice and lover, Jo Hyunsoo (30), in the sea.
On the 19th, the 15th Criminal Division of the Incheon District Court (Chief Judge Lee Gyuhun) held the 9th trial for Lee and her accomplice Jo, who were detained and indicted on charges including murder, attempted murder, and attempted violation of the Special Act on the Prevention of Insurance Fraud.
On this day, three acquaintances who accompanied the deceased on the day of the incident at Yongsogyeok Valley in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province, appeared as witnesses in court. Among them was A, a junior from Lee's middle school.
During the trial, part of the KakaoTalk messages exchanged between Lee and A was disclosed.
According to the revealed KakaoTalk messages, A, Lee's middle school junior, asked, "Has Hyunsoo still not been gotten rid of and is living well?" and "Should we try to drown Hyunsoo in the Philippine sea this time?" Lee replied, "I haven't gotten rid of him yet," and "If I am going to drown him, I will contact you later."
In court, the prosecution asked A, "Did you send this message as an analogy referring to Lee's ex-boyfriend who died under suspicious circumstances while snorkeling in Pattaya, Thailand, in July 2014?" A responded, "Yes," and added, "(The messages) were exchanged without any particular reason, just jokingly."
He also said, "I usually joke around, and people around me joke with me saying, 'Is it me this time?' Since the incident, people around me say they don't even go near water with me."
Furthermore, A stated, "After the incident, when I came out of the hospital, Jo oddly shook hands with my friend and said, 'Brother, see you again,' which made me wonder if he was in his right mind. Later, suspecting Lee and Jo's crime, I promised financial support for Lee's daughter and urged them to surrender, but they claimed they were innocent," he said.
He added, "I suspect insurance fraud and am confident about it. Innocent people try to prove their innocence rather than flee."
Lee and others were indicted on charges of forcing her husband Yoon Mo (39 at the time of death) to dive at Yongsogyeok Valley in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province, around 8:24 p.m. on June 30, 2019, causing him to drown and die.
The next trial for Lee and Jo is scheduled to be held at 2 p.m. on the 23rd in the same courtroom.
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