Mother Pleads for Leniency in 'Hiking Trail Murder' Case... Choi Yoon-jong Says "Did Not Necessarily Have to Appear"

Choi's Mother Appears as Sentencing Witness in Trial
"Choi Yoonjong Was a Victim of School Violence in High School"
When Asked About Efforts to Recover Damages, "Money Issues Are Difficult"

The mother of Choi Yoon-jong (30), who is accused of sexually assaulting and murdering a female teacher in her 30s on her way to work along the trail in Sillim-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, appeared in court as a sentencing witness and testified that "her son was a victim of school violence during high school."

Choi’s mother made this statement on the 20th at the 4th trial of Choi Yoon-jong held at the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 26 (Presiding Judge Jung Jin-ah). A sentencing witness is a witness called to provide reasons for sentencing the defendant. It appears that Choi Yoon-jong’s mother appeared to reveal her son’s past experience as a victim of school violence and to appeal for leniency.

Choi Yoon-jong, accused of sexually assaulting and murdering a woman on a hiking trail in Sillim-dong, was transferred to the prosecution at the Gwanak Police Station in Seoul on August 25. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Regarding her son’s crime, she said, "I have no words to say, even if I had ten mouths, for raising my child wrongly," adding, "I will have to live with a nail driven into my heart until I die. I am deeply sorry to the deceased."

When the defense attorney asked, "Is it true that Choi was a victim of school violence?" Choi’s mother replied, "It seems to be true," and said, "He didn’t want to go to school just before graduating in his third year of high school."

Then, when the prosecution asked, "Has the defendant ever spoken about the school violence?" she said, "He never spoke about it, but I saw his body covered with bruises and thought he was a victim of school violence. He couldn’t eat and wanted to lie down, and he changed a lot," repeatedly asserting the school violence victimization.

She continued, "I think it’s because (Choi Yoon-jong) stayed isolated alone for too long," and said, "He should have received proper psychiatric treatment and lived well, but we couldn’t support him." When asked about the relationship between the defendant and his father, she said, "They were not close. They should have been raised with love, but my husband and I grew up without love, so we committed a grave sin."

However, when asked by the defense attorney if she had any intention to make efforts to restore the damage, Choi’s mother answered, "I haven’t even thought about that. We have to live too." Regarding a question implying whether she would issue an apology letter to the bereaved family if it was difficult to raise settlement money due to financial difficulties, she replied, "I don’t understand what you mean," and "Honestly, money is difficult."

Choi Yoon-jong expressed his feelings about his mother appearing as a witness, saying, "She didn’t have to come out if she didn’t want to." When the court asked, "Do you feel grateful that your mother courageously came out?" he answered, "I don’t know." As Choi’s mother’s testimony prolonged, the bereaved family members in the gallery appealed to the court, saying, "It’s too painful," and requested to limit the testimony time.

Choi Yoon-jong was indicted on charges of hitting the female victim with a knuckle-dusted fist and strangling her to death on the hiking trail in Sillim-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, on August 17. The female victim died on the 19th of the same month while receiving hospital treatment.

Choi Yoon-jong’s next trial will be held on the 11th of next month.