Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for Choi Yoon-jong in 'Hiking Trail Murder' Case, Citing "No Remorse" (Comprehensive)

The prosecution has sought the death penalty for Choi Yoon-jong (30), who murdered a woman he did not know in Sillim-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul.

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@

On the 11th, at the sentencing hearing of Choi Yoon-jong held before the 26th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Jung Jin-ah), the prosecution requested, "Considering that he shows no remorse at all and poses a high risk of reoffending if released back into society, and taking into account the irreversible damage to the victim's family, we ask that Choi Yoon-jong be sentenced to death."

The prosecution emphasized, "This case involves the defendant sexually assaulting and murdering a stranger on a hiking trail in a city park during the daytime. It is necessary to impose a corresponding punishment so that the perception that those who commit such crimes cannot escape the severest penalties becomes widespread." In his final statement, Choi Yoon-jong sighed and said, "I am sorry to the bereaved family and pray for the victim's peace."

The first trial verdict for Choi Yoon-jong will be delivered at 2 p.m. on January 22 of next year.

Before the prosecution's sentencing request, during the defendant's questioning, Choi Yoon-jong repeatedly claimed that he did not strangle the victim and had no intention to kill.

The prosecution questioned the fact that he initially stated during the investigation that he strangled the victim but changed his claim in court to say he only covered the victim's mouth with clothing. Choi Yoon-jong said, "I think I misspoke during the investigation," continuing to deny this charge, but after repeated questioning by the prosecution, he responded, "I refuse to testify."

When the prosecution presented the victim's autopsy report, testimony from a forensic professor, and photos reenacting the crime scene during the police investigation, asking again, "Isn't it true that you strangled the victim?" Choi Yoon-jong repeatedly denied, saying, "I think the results are wrong."

During nearly two hours of questioning, Choi Yoon-jong sat perched on the witness stand chair, tilting his head, scratching his head, and sometimes asking for questions to be repeated.

The victim's family, who attended the hearing, tearfully appealed to the court, saying, "I hope the perpetrator receives an appropriate punishment so that no other victims will be created."

Choi Yoon-jong was brought to trial on charges of sexually assaulting victim A on August 17 on the hiking trail of Mokgolsan connected to Gwanaksan Ecological Park in Sillim-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, brutally beating her with a fist wearing a metal knuckle, and strangling her for at least three minutes to death. The victim was left at the scene for about 20 minutes, transported to the hospital in cardiac arrest, and died two days later from hypoxic brain injury.