Silent on questions about the motive for the crime
Decision on detention expected late afternoon on the 29th
[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] A man in his 30s suspected of killing the landlord of the gosiwon where he lived has appeared.
The suspect, Mr. A, who is charged with robbery and murder, left the Seoul Gwanak Police Station at 2:25 PM on the 29th to attend a pre-trial detention hearing (warrant review) at the Seoul Central District Court.
Dressed in a black hoodie and navy pajama pants, Mr. A faced the press and responded "I'm sorry" when asked, "Do you have anything to say to the bereaved families?" He did not answer questions such as "Why did you commit murder?", "Do you admit to the robbery and murder charges?", "Did you kill to steal money?", "Was it a premeditated crime?", "Why did you bind the victim?", "Why did you go to a sauna immediately after the crime?", and "You reportedly reduced the rent; do you feel any remorse?"
The decision on Mr. A's detention is expected to be made late in the afternoon.
Mr. A is suspected of killing a 74-year-old female landlord of the gosiwon where he lived in Sillim-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 27th, and stealing her card, bankbook, and approximately 100,000 won in cash before fleeing.
The victim was found dead with her hands tied in the basement floor of the four-story gosiwon in Sillim-dong at 12:48 PM on the 27th.
The police tracked the suspect's movements by reviewing closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage and arrested Mr. A at around 10 PM the same day at a sauna in Seongdong-gu, Seoul.
The National Forensic Service conducted an autopsy and gave a preliminary verbal opinion that the cause of death was asphyxiation due to neck compression (strangulation).
Mr. A was unemployed and is believed not to have used the stolen items.
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