40s Taekwondo Instructor Identified as Suspect
"Has Been Active as a Taekwondo Athlete Since Teens"
Local police in Sydney, Australia, have arrested the instructor of a taekwondo studio as a murder suspect in connection with the deaths of a Korean family.
On the 21st (local time), the New South Wales (NSW) Police held a press conference and announced the arrest of 49-year-old Korean man Yoo for allegedly killing three family members in western Sydney. Earlier, Yoo appeared at Westmead Hospital in western Sydney around 11:50 p.m. on the 19th with stab wounds to his chest, arms, and abdomen. Suspicious hospital staff reported this to the police, and Yoo stated that he was attacked in a supermarket parking lot in North Parramatta. Yoo is currently reported to be in stable condition.
Subsequently, police found the body of 39-year-old man Jo, who appeared to have been stabbed to death, at a house near Balcombe Hills in North Parramatta. Additionally, around 12:30 p.m. that day, the bodies of a 41-year-old woman and a 7-year-old boy were discovered at a taekwondo studio in North Parramatta.
The scene of the Sydney Taekwondo studio where the bodies of a woman in her 40s and a 7-year-old boy were found. [Image source=Yonhap News Agency·Google Maps]
Police stated that the deceased were Mr. and Mrs. Jo and their son, who attended the taekwondo studio, indicating that the Jo family and Yoo knew each other.
After investigation, police concluded that all these incidents were connected and identified Yoo, who was receiving treatment at the hospital, as the prime suspect, leading to his arrest. Police believe Yoo acted alone and said there is sufficient evidence to charge him with murder. It is estimated that between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on the 19th, Yoo strangled the woman and child at the taekwondo studio and then moved to Jo’s house in Balcombe Hills, where he killed Jo.
Local neighbors expressed shock over the incident. Local resident Ivy Bupasa said, "Balcombe Hills is a quiet and peaceful place, so hearing about this incident was very frightening," adding, "It’s really tragic about the child. It’s heartbreaking that the whole family lost their lives."
Another local resident said the Korean family’s deaths would have a significant impact on the community. This resident said, "Many children here attend the same school," and described the incident as "sad and shocking." A citizen who said they were acquainted with the deceased family said, "The couple was very kind and humorous, and they loved their young son."
Meanwhile, Yoo, the suspect, has been active as a taekwondo athlete in NSW since his teenage years and is reported to have won awards at various taekwondo competitions held in Korea and Australia. Local police are currently investigating the detailed circumstances of the case with Yoo.
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