"If You Have Money, Hit Me"…Owner Kills Employee After Losing Temper Over Words

Indiscriminate Assault on Employees at Own Store
Also Charged with Drunk Motorcycle Driving
"The Crime Is Very Serious"

Mr. A was charged with causing the death of the victim by beating them violently about 30 times during an argument with Mr. B. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Juri] A man in his 40s who fatally assaulted an employee at his store was sentenced to seven years in prison in the appellate court as well. The man continued to punch the employee, who had lost consciousness due to the assault, leading to the employee's death.

The Suwon High Court Criminal Division 2-3 (Presiding Judges Lee Sang-ho, Wang Jeong-ok, Kim Gwan-yong) dismissed the appeal of Mr. A, in his 40s, who was charged with injury resulting in death and violation of the Road Traffic Act (drunk driving), maintaining the original sentence of seven years in prison.

Mr. A was indicted for fatally beating the victim, Mr. B, over 30 times during an argument near Mr. B's home in Gyeonggi Province around midnight on August 10, 2019.

It was found that Mr. A committed the crime after losing his temper when Mr. B, an employee at the store Mr. A operated, who had been absent without leave, said during their conversation, "I reported you to the police, so if you have money, hit me."

He is also accused of driving a motorcycle about 2 km while intoxicated on his way to meet Mr. B.

The first trial court stated, "The crime is very serious as the defendant continued to beat the victim who had lost consciousness and was unable to resist, resulting in death. The victim's family strongly demands punishment for the defendant," adding, "However, considering that the defendant confessed to all the crimes and is showing remorse, and that he deposited a bond for the bereaved family, the sentence was determined after considering various sentencing factors," and sentenced him to seven years in prison.

Mr. A appealed, claiming the sentence was too harsh and unfair, but the appellate court did not accept the appeal.

The appellate court explained the reason for dismissing the appeal, stating, "The crime involved the defendant inflicting severe unilateral violence on the victim and continuing to beat the victim who had lost consciousness and was unable to resist, resulting in death, which is very serious. It appears that the lower court considered all major sentencing factors comprehensively, and there has been no change in sentencing conditions warranting a modification of the sentence in this court."