"Victim Suffering from Long-Term Unwanted Contact
... Painfully Passed Away at Age 28"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Jeon Juhwan (31, male), a coworker and the subway station attendant at Sindang Station whom he was stalking, was sentenced to 40 years in prison in the first trial.
On the afternoon of the 7th, the Criminal Division 25-1 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judges Park Jeonggil, Park Jeongje, Park Sarang) sentenced Jeon Juhwan, who was indicted on charges including violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (retaliatory murder), to 40 years in prison. He was also ordered to wear an electronic monitoring device (electronic anklet) for 15 years.
The court stated, "The victim, who suffered from unwanted contact for a long time, was killed by the defendant and painfully died at the age of 28. The physical and mental suffering during this process must have been extremely severe beyond measure. The bereaved family is also enduring indescribable pain and is petitioning for severe punishment."
It also emphasized, "When the defendant faced criminal trial for stalking, instead of reflecting on his wrongdoing, he repeatedly submitted letters of apology but committed a retaliatory crime. Since this not only infringed on personal legal interests but also obstructed the state's proper exercise of criminal punishment, stricter punishment is necessary."
The court rejected Jeon Juhwan’s claim that "visiting the victim’s residence multiple times was to request a settlement regarding the stalking offense." The court said, "It appears that from the beginning, he intended to demand a settlement and, if that failed, to kill. There is no evidence that this crime was due to the defendant’s mental illness or side effects from treatment."
However, it added, "He does not appear to be completely unaware of his wrongdoing and has been taking psychiatric medication for a long time. Psychological evaluation showed somewhat insufficient emotional regulation and impulse control. At the age of 31, it cannot be said that there is no possibility of genuinely realizing his mistakes and correcting his behavior through imprisonment. Other sentencing precedents for similar cases were also considered."
Immediately after the ruling, the victim’s representative said, "Although the criminal proceedings are not yet fully concluded, we thank the many citizens who have mourned with us. We are also truly grateful for the courage of the citizen who immediately rushed to help upon hearing cries for help from the women’s restroom on the day of the incident and subdued the defendant who was armed with a weapon."
Furthermore, "After the incident, many people visited the women’s restroom at Sindang Station. Their collective sentiment led to the creation of a memorial space prepared by citizens, filled with countless post-it notes and flowers. The warm feelings conveyed have been a great comfort. We thank everyone for mourning with us. Though it is sad, we will never forget and always remember."
At the previous sentencing hearing, the prosecution requested the court to sentence Jeon Juhwan to death. The prosecutor pointed out, "The defendant still shows no remorse. He reacts coldly to the incident itself and only worries about his own position and safety."
They added, "He was already on trial for other stalking offenses and should have repented and refrained from reoffending, but he killed in retaliation for that situation itself. The motive alone is highly blameworthy. There was clear intent and purpose, and the act was a brutal one committed in a public place." They also emphasized, "This instilled fear that anyone who lives faithfully, trusting the criminal justice process and system, could become a victim at any time."
In his final statement, Jeon Juhwan said, "I committed an irreversible and absolutely unforgivable mistake. I am truly sorry. I sincerely repent and reflect on all my actions."
According to the prosecution, when the sentencing date for the stalking case, for which Jeon Juhwan was indicted following the victim’s report, was set and imprisonment was expected, he decided to kill the victim thinking "everything I have built so far will collapse." From August 18 of last year, when the sentencing hearing for the stalking case was held, until the day of the crime, Jeon Juhwan meticulously prepared by visiting the subway station office four times to check the victim’s address, work information, and more.
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. Eventually, he 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 by the Seoul Western District Court for stalking and illegal filming charges. He has appealed the first trial verdict related to this.
A memorial procession by citizens has continued since September 19 last year at the women's restroom in Sindang Station on Seoul Subway Line 2, where a 20-year-old station attendant was murdered after stalking. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@
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