40s Man in Sinwol-dong Neighbor Murder and Arson Case "Admits Charges"

Jung Mo (40), who is accused of murdering a woman in her 70s living downstairs and setting fire to the scene, admitted to the charges at his first trial.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At the first hearing held on the 11th at the Seoul Southern District Court Criminal Division 12 (Presiding Judge Dang Woojeung), Jung said, "I admit all the charges."

Jung was arrested and indicted on charges of murder and arson of a residential building after killing Ms. A, a woman in her 70s living on the lower floor of a multi-family house, around 8 p.m. on June 14. He is also accused of stealing Ms. A's money to use as funds for fleeing. Jung was arrested at a motel in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, at 12:22 a.m. on June 18, four days after the crime.

During the police investigation, Jung stated that he committed the crime due to disputes over water leakage between floors. However, the prosecution, while outlining the charges, stated that after water leakage occurred around December last year, Jung harbored resentment against Ms. A, and when the lease contract was due to expire in June, making it impossible to continue living there, he was consumed by hatred and committed the crime.

The bereaved family of Ms. A also stated on the 9th, "It is true that there was water leakage between floors, but Ms. A did not experience direct conflict," adding, "Ms. A's children discussed the leakage issue with the defendant, and since early January this year, there have been no related discussions between the children and Jung."

Some of the bereaved family members who attended the trial left the courtroom when the brutal details of the crime were revealed. The family submitted a petition requesting that Jung be severely punished with either the death penalty or life imprisonment.

The next trial is scheduled for 10:40 a.m. on the 1st of next month.