"The victim suddenly felt terror when the defendant appeared at the workplace where they always went to work and died. The victim in their 20s, who had more to do than what they had already done, passed away without even giving their loved ones time to prepare. (Omitted) Nevertheless, when the defendant faced criminal punishment for the previous stalking crime, instead of remorse, he decided to kill the victim solely for revenge." (Prosecutor)
The prosecution has demanded the death penalty for Jeon Juhwan (31, male), who murdered a station worker he was stalking at Sindang Station.
On the afternoon of the 10th, at the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 25-1 (Presiding Judges Park Jeonggil, Park Jeongje, Park Sarang), during the sentencing hearing for Jeon Juhwan on charges including aggravated murder for revenge under the Specific Crimes Aggravation Act, the prosecutor requested the court to impose the maximum sentence of death.
On that day, the prosecutor said, "The defendant still shows no remorse," adding, "He reacts coldly to the incident itself and only worries about his own position and safety." The prosecutor continued, "He was already on trial for other stalking offenses and should have repented and refrained from reoffending, but he killed the victim for revenge against that very situation. The motive alone is highly condemnable," and pointed out, "There was definite intent and clear purpose, and it was a brutal act committed in a public place."
Furthermore, the prosecutor added, "This case instilled fear in the public who live each day faithfully trusting the criminal justice procedures and judicial system, showing that anyone can become a victim at any time." He also said, "Nevertheless, no sign of repentance can be found, and it is judged that there is no possibility of rehabilitation in the future."
On the other hand, Jeon Juhwan's defense attorney stated, "The defendant is sorry for causing great pain to the victim and the bereaved family and believes he deserves punishment. Considering his acceptance of responsibility, remorseful attitude, growth process, and social life after adulthood, it appears unlikely that he will reoffend against unspecified persons," and requested, "Please show leniency and give him a final chance," in his closing argument.
Wearing a green prison uniform, Jeon Juhwan entered the courtroom and read from two prepared sheets of paper during his final statement. He said, "I committed an irreversible and absolutely unforgivable mistake," and "I am truly sorry. I sincerely repent and regret all my actions."
During the trial, CCTV footage showing Jeon Juhwan visiting a building presumed to be the victim's residence several times before the crime was revealed. A psychological analyst who appeared as a witness explained about Jeon Juhwan, "He is self-focused (egocentric) and tends to interpret situations subjectively. He reacts richly to his own emotions but finds it difficult to empathize with others' perspectives or reactions," and added, "There is a considerable possibility of reoffending."
The court concluded all arguments and scheduled the first trial sentencing for Jeon Juhwan at 2 p.m. on the 7th of next month.
According to the prosecution, Jeon Juhwan decided to kill the victim after the sentencing date for the stalking case, for which the victim had reported him, was set and a prison sentence was expected, thinking "everything I have built so far will collapse." It was found that from August 18 of last year, when the sentencing hearing for the stalking case was held, until the day of the crime, he meticulously prepared by visiting the subway station office four times to check the victim's address and work information.
Jeon Juhwan secretly entered the building of the victim's residence to wait around the victim's daytime work leaving time, but the victim had already moved elsewhere, so he could not commit the crime there. Eventually, Jeon went to Sindang Station, where the victim worked, and stabbed the victim to death with a weapon in the women's restroom there.
After the victim's death, on September 29 of last year, Jeon Juhwan was sentenced to nine years in prison at the Seoul Western District Court for stalking and illegal filming charges. He has appealed the first trial verdict.
Jeon Joo-hwan, the suspect in the 'Sindang Station Stalking Murder' case, is being transferred from the Namdaemun Police Station detention center in Jung-gu, Seoul to the prosecution on September 21 last year while in suspect status.
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