40s Man Who Threatened to Kill 10 Women Released on Probation...Prosecution Appeals

A man in his 40s who posted a threat online stating he would target and kill only women in a busy area of Incheon was released after receiving a suspended sentence, prompting the prosecution to appeal. On the 1st, the Incheon District Prosecutors' Office announced that it had appealed the first trial court's ruling, which sentenced A (40) to two years in prison with a two-year suspension on charges of threats and obstruction of official duties by deception.

The prosecution explained, "The defendant wrote a murder threat post merely to attract attention during a time when indiscriminate (random) crimes against unspecified many were a serious social problem, which shows the bad nature of the crime," adding, "Netizens who saw the post and citizens around the threatened location felt considerable anxiety." They continued, "Many police officers were deployed to the threatened location, resulting in a severe waste of public authority," and stated, "A heavier sentence appropriate to the crime should be imposed on the defendant," explaining the reason for the appeal.

A man in his 40s who posted a threat online to target and kill only women in a busy area of Incheon
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, the prosecution had demanded a three-year prison sentence for A during the sentencing hearing held last month. However, the first trial court ruled, "Although this crime caused great shock and fear among citizens and the police response was widely reported, the defendant posted the threat to attract others' attention, showing a bad nature," it also judged, "The defendant admitted the crime and showed remorse, and it appears there was no intention to carry out the murder."

A was arrested and indicted on charges of obstructing police work after posting a threat on an internet community on the morning of August 5, stating, "Tonight at 10 p.m., I will kill 10 women only on Bupyeong Rodeo Street in Incheon."

Following this post, a report was made to 112, and 86 police officers were dispatched to Bupyeong Rodeo Street. A was arrested at his home in Incheon three hours later by police who tracked him using his internet protocol (IP) address. During the police investigation, he stated, "I did not actually intend to kill anyone. I was curious about the comments that would be posted and wanted to get attention."