"The Crime Is a Cost-Effective Exchange"
Kim Mo (67), who stabbed Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, with a weapon this January, stated that he committed the crime believing himself to be an independence activist or Nongae.
On the 9th, during the first trial of Kim, the assailant of Lee, held at the Busan District Court Criminal Division 6 (Chief Judge Kim Tae-eop), the prosecution conducted evidence investigation and partially disclosed Kim’s statements recorded in the investigation agency’s interrogation records.
According to this, Kim said before the crime, "I thought I had become an independence activist, and I thought I had become Nongae," adding, "This (the crime) is a cost-effective exchange."
He continued, "I have lived enough, and if my grandson or son can live in a safer and less dangerous world, I was willing to have the mindset that I could not forgive such a person."
The prosecution explained the integrated psychological analysis results of Kim’s statements, saying, "There is an excessive self-esteem observed, expressed as a noble sacrifice by comparing himself to an independence activist, and confirmation bias thinking is evident due to a narrow perspective," and "He was blindly obsessed with specific political ideologies and thoughts, showing intense hostility, anger, and victimized thinking toward a particular politician."
The prosecution revealed that Kim committed the crime due to a combination of economic hardship?such as an average annual reported income of about 2 to 4.5 million KRW since 2015, debts amounting to 190 million KRW, and stock investment losses between 250 to 300 million KRW?living alone separated from family, a sense of despair, deteriorating health, and a hero complex.
Kim’s side agreed to all evidence but denied the motive presented by the prosecution, reiterating their previous position that the act was purely based on political justification.
At the next trial scheduled for the 30th, the prosecution’s sentencing recommendation and the defendant’s final statement are expected to take place.
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