1 Year Since Sindang Station Stalking Murder... Bereaved Family Demands Jeon Joo-hwan's Life Sentence Confirmation

Bereaved Family Appeals for Severe Punishment Ahead of 1st Anniversary
"Life Imprisonment, a Meaningful Verdict for Numerous Victims"

One year before the 'Sindang Station Stalking Murder Case,' the victim's family urged for severe punishment of the suspect, Jeon Joo-hwan.

Min Go-eun, the lawyer representing the victim's family, released a statement on the 11th, saying, "The families believe that the way to console the victim's soul is through the severe punishment of the defendant. They are spending each day petitioning the court for a harsh sentence and collecting citizen petitions."

Suspect Jeon Juhwan in the 'Sindang Station Stalking Murder' case is being transferred from Namdaemun Police Station detention center in Jung-gu, Seoul to the prosecution. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

She added, "If the Supreme Court dismisses the defendant's appeal and the life sentence handed down in the second trial is confirmed, it will be a meaningful ruling for many victims."

Jeon Joo-hwan was sentenced to 40 years in prison for retaliatory murder and 9 years for stalking in the first trial. On July 11, the second trial combined the two cases and sentenced him to life imprisonment. However, Jeon appealed the verdict and is awaiting the Supreme Court's decision.

The victim's family is also pursuing civil lawsuits against Seoul Metro (the corporation where the victim worked) and Jeon Joo-hwan. Lawyer Min explained, "The civil lawsuit against Jeon Joo-hwan was the victim's wish during her lifetime, so the family has continued to pursue it. Regarding the corporation, we are claiming damages based on the improper handling of the victim's personal information and the failure to fulfill the duty of safety protection as an employer."

She added, "If the court clearly establishes the corporation's legal responsibility through the ruling, it will provide an opportunity for the victim's colleagues to work in a safe environment."

Jeon Joo-hwan was arrested and indicted last year on September 14 for killing the victim, a colleague who joined the corporation at the same time, with a weapon in the women's restroom at Sindang Station on Seoul Subway Line 2. Prior to this, Jeon was charged with stalking the victim hundreds of times by sending illegal recordings and threatening messages. After being sentenced to 9 years in prison for stalking, he harbored resentment and murdered the victim the day before the sentencing.