[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin, Legal Affairs Specialist] The prosecution has appealed the first trial verdict that sentenced Jeon Ju-hwan (31), the defendant in the 'Sindang Station Stalking Retaliation Murder' case, to 40 years in prison, citing 'excessive sentencing'.
On the 9th, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office stated, "Today, we have appealed against Jeon Ju-hwan, the defendant in the Sindang Station stalking retaliation murder case, on the grounds of 'excessive sentencing'."
The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office explained, "This case involves a crime where the defendant, with a meticulous premeditated plan, boldly and brutally murdered the victim in a public place with the intent to retaliate against the victim who reported his crime. Considering all aspects such as the motive, planning, execution process, and outcome, the nature of the crime is extremely heinous. Furthermore, taking into account the defendant's attitude after the crime, the high risk of recidivism, the serious threat stalking and retaliatory crimes pose to our society, the public demand for strict punishment, and the bereaved families' plea for the prosecution's active appeal, we judged that a sentence permanently isolating Jeon Ju-hwan from society is necessary, hence the appeal."
They added, "The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office will actively prove these circumstances during the appeal trial to ensure that the defendant receives a severe sentence commensurate with the crime and will make every effort to maintain the prosecution."
Jeon was brought to trial on charges of murdering a female coworker he had been stalking with a weapon he had prepared in advance in the women's restroom at Sindang Station on Seoul Subway Line 2 on September 14 last year.
He committed the crime a day before the sentencing date, anticipating a heavy sentence in the stalking crime trial, which was initiated by the victim's report.
The Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 25-1 (Presiding Judges Park Jeong-gil, Park Jeong-je, Park Sa-rang) sentenced Jeon, who was charged with violating the Specific Crimes Aggravated Punishment Act (retaliation murder), to 40 years in prison on the 7th and ordered him to wear an electronic tracking device (electronic anklet) for 15 years.
Prior to this, during the sentencing hearing, the prosecution demanded the death penalty for Jeon.
At that time, the prosecutor emphasized, "He was already on trial for other stalking crimes and should have repented and refrained from reoffending, but he committed murder to retaliate against that very situation. The motive alone is highly condemnable, with clear intent and purpose, and it was a brutal act that took place in a public location."
He also pointed out Jeon's lack of remorse, saying, "The defendant still shows no sense of guilt. He reacts coldly to the incident itself and only worries about his own position and safety."
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