Prosecution Seeks Death Penalty for Jeong Yoo-jeong... Jeong Yoo-jeong Says "Studying Foreign Languages for Rehabilitation"

The prosecution has sought the death penalty for Jeong Yujeong, who was tried on charges of murdering a woman in her 20s, mutilating, and abandoning the body. Jeong pleaded for leniency, saying, "I hope to be rehabilitated and live as a new person."

At the sentencing hearing for Jeong Yujeong held on the 6th under the jurisdiction of the Criminal Division 6 of the Busan District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Tae-eop), the prosecution stated, "She killed a victim she had never met as a means to vent her anger, instilling fear that anyone could be killed without any reason," and thus requested the death penalty.

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

Jeong was tried on charges of killing the victim A (in her 20s) at her home in Geumjeong-gu, Busan, after disguising herself as a middle school student looking for a private tutor on May 26.

The prosecution said, "The victim must have suffered extreme pain due to the prolonged crime," and added, "The defendant shifts responsibility onto the victim and repeatedly lies, showing no sincere remorse." They also stated, "The defendant has no possibility of rehabilitation, and there is no chance of a wrongful conviction," and "Permanent isolation is necessary, as life imprisonment allows for the possibility of parole." The prosecution also disclosed a petition letter from the bereaved family, which reportedly included statements such as, "Five months have passed, but it felt like 500 years. The time ahead will be very difficult to endure."

Jeong’s defense argued for mitigation due to diminished mental capacity caused by an unfortunate family environment. Jeong’s lawyer said, "The crime committed by the defendant is grave," but requested mitigation, citing "unspecified bipolar impulsive disorder and other conditions."

After the defense’s statement, Jeong said, "I apologize to the bereaved family who have suffered great sorrow because of me." She added, "I am studying Chinese and Japanese diligently, and I will reflect on myself and make every effort to live with a law-abiding spirit as a member of society," and expressed, "I earnestly hope for a chance to be rehabilitated and live as a new person."

The court set the sentencing date for the morning of the 24th.