Kim Lea, Who Killed Her Breakup Partner in Front of His Mother, Identity Revealed

First Case Since Enforcement of the 'Serious Crime Offender Disclosure Act' in January This Year

The prosecution disclosed the personal information of a man in his 20s who killed his girlfriend, who came with her mother to break up with him, on the 22nd. This is the first case in which the prosecution decided to disclose personal information during the investigation stage under the "Act on the Disclosure of Personal Information of Suspects of Certain Serious Crimes (Serious Crime Personal Information Disclosure Act)," enacted last October and enforced from January 25 this year.

The Suwon District Prosecutors' Office Specialized Division for Gambling and Violent Crimes (Chief Prosecutor Jeong Hwajun) disclosed the personal information of Kim Rea (26), who was arrested and indicted on the 15th on charges of murder of his girlfriend A (21 at the time of death) and attempted murder of A's mother B (46, female), through the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office website on the same day.

On the 22nd, Kim Rea, the suspect in the murder of his girlfriend, whose personal information was disclosed on the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office website.

According to the prosecution, on the morning of the 25th of last month, around 9:35 a.m., at his residence in Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, Kim is accused of stabbing A to death with a weapon when A and B came to protest his past violent behavior toward A and to notify him of their breakup. He also attempted to kill B, who came with A, with a weapon but only inflicted serious injuries. At that time, B suffered severe injuries including a lung contusion requiring 10 weeks of treatment.

Investigations revealed that Kim had shown strong obsession and possessiveness toward A and had exhibited violent tendencies toward her. Kim frequently checked A’s mobile phone, suspected her relationships with other men, and was found to have expressed strong obsession by saying things like, "If I break up with A, I will kill her and then myself."

Unable to end the relationship with Kim on her own, A went with her mother B to confront Kim and notify him of the breakup. However, Kim stabbed A to death with a large knife in front of B and also attempted to kill B, who tried to stop him.

Meanwhile, considering the brutality of the crime of killing the daughter in front of her mother, the severity of the damage, the public’s right to know, and the wishes of the bereaved family, the prosecution decided on January 5 to disclose the suspect’s personal information during the investigation stage after deliberation and resolution by the Personal Information Disclosure Review Committee for Suspects.

According to the Serious Crime Personal Information Disclosure Act, enforced from January 25 this year, prosecutors and judicial police officers may disclose personal information of suspects accused of certain serious crimes such as specific violent crimes and sexual offenses if ▲the crime method is cruel and causes serious damage, ▲there is sufficient reason to believe the suspect committed the crime, and ▲disclosure is necessary solely for public interest such as guaranteeing the public’s right to know, preventing recidivism, and crime prevention. Disclosure decisions may be made after referral to the Personal Information Disclosure Review Committee and consideration of its resolution.

Kim filed a request for suspension of execution with the court on the 9th against the prosecutor’s decision to disclose his personal information. However, on the 18th, the 1st Administrative Division of the Suwon District Court dismissed Kim’s request, stating, "Considering the severe harm caused to the victims by the applicant’s actions and the high degree of social harm, guaranteeing the public’s right to know and the social necessity to prevent and deter similar crimes justify the disclosure of personal information as related to the public interest." Accordingly, the prosecution disclosed Kim’s personal information on its website on the same day. Kim’s personal information will be disclosed for 30 days from that day until the 21st of next month.

A representative of the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office stated, "The prosecution will do its best to maintain the indictment so that the defendant receives a sentence commensurate with the crime and will also make every effort to protect and support the victims’ families."