Psychopath? Identity Theft? ... The Mystery Behind Jeong Yoo-jeong's Motive

Jeong Yoo-jeong Apologizes to Victims and Bereaved Families at Photo Line
"Different from Typical Psychopath Appearance"
"Must Uncover Why Women and Peers Were Targeted"

The motive behind Jeong Yoo-jeong (23), who murdered a woman in her 20s in Busan, dismembered the body, and abandoned it, remains unclear. Jeong Yoo-jeong confessed, saying, "I had an impulse to kill and wanted to try an actual murder," but did not reveal any specific motive for the crime.

Professor Lee Soo-jung of the Department of Criminal Psychology at Kyonggi University suggested the possibility that Jeong Yoo-jeong committed the murder to steal the victim's identity.

In an interview with MBC Newsdesk, Professor Lee analyzed, "The victim was a very popular private tutor online," and added, "It seems she tried to steal this woman's identity as a way to overcome her own handicap."

Jeong Yoo-jeong (23), who is accused of murdering a peer female and disposing of the body, is being transferred from Busan Dongnae Police Station to the prosecution on the morning of the 2nd. [Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the police, Jeong Yoo-jeong lived isolated from society without any particular job for five years after graduating from high school in 2018, living alone with her grandfather. She did not form social bonds such as friendships and led an isolated life.

Starting three months before the crime, she intensely searched for words related to 'murder' on the internet, and it was revealed that she regularly watched crime investigation programs and studied brutal crimes.

On the 2nd, during the transfer from the police station to the prosecution, Jeong Yoo-jeong stood in front of the photo line and showed signs of admitting her wrongdoing. Bowing her head upon appearance, she responded to reporters' questions asking, "Do you have anything to say to the bereaved families?" by saying, "I am truly sorry to the victim and the bereaved families, and I think I was not in my right mind."

The police plan to investigate whether Jeong Yoo-jeong has antisocial personality disorder or psychopathic tendencies.

Photo of Jeong Yujeong (23 years old) released on the 1st by the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency after a personal information disclosure review committee. Jeong Yujeong was arrested on charges of murdering a woman in her 20s whom she met through an online tutoring app and disposing of the body. Provided by Busan Metropolitan Police Agency [Image source=Yonhap News]

There is also an analysis that although Jeong Yoo-jeong shows psychopathic tendencies, they differ somewhat from typical characteristics.

Attorney Son Su-ho pointed out on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' that Jeong Yoo-jeong "probably dreamed of a perfect crime, but the crime was more sloppy than expected," noting, "There were bloodstains on the bag used to move the victim's body, and she used a taxi, behaving in ways that aroused suspicion from the taxi driver, which is why she was caught quickly."

He also explained, "She confessed everything and apologized to the victim and her family, which is different from the typical behavior of a psychopath."

Regarding the analysis that the murder was committed to steal the victim's identity, Attorney Son said, "There is no evidence yet to confirm whether she actually tried to live the victim's life in reality or if she was trying to experience such feelings psychologically or emotionally," adding that it is not yet a stage to make a definitive statement.

However, he added, "There may be hidden motives in questions like why she used a tutoring app, why the target was a private tutor, why it was a woman, and why someone of a similar age."