Press Conference by Parents of Victim in Geoje Ex-Girlfriend Assault Death Case
The suspect in the so-called 'Geoje Ex-Girlfriend Assault Death Case' did not appear for the pretrial detention warrant hearing scheduled to be held at the Tongyeong Branch of the Changwon District Court in Gyeongnam on the 20th. The victim's parents broke down in tears, demanding severe punishment for the perpetrator.
According to court officials, the lawyer representing the suspect, a man in his 20s identified as A, visited the court late in the morning and submitted a statement explaining the reason for not attending the warrant review.
It is reported that the reasons cited were unfavorable public opinion, intense social attention, and psychological pressure.
The parents of the victim in the Geoje ex-girlfriend assault death case are holding a press conference in front of the Tongyeong Branch of Changwon District Court in Gyeongnam, demanding severe punishment for the perpetrator. [Photo by Lee Seryeong]
Previously, A was charged with breaking into his ex-girlfriend B's apartment on the 1st of last month, violently striking her head and face while she was asleep, strangling her, and assaulting her to death.
B suffered severe injuries, including traumatic subdural hemorrhage to the head, requiring six weeks of treatment, but ultimately passed away in the hospital on the 10th of last month.
The National Forensic Service concluded after a thorough examination that B most likely died from complications caused by head injuries, and based on this, a detention warrant was requested for A.
B's parents held a press conference in front of the courthouse where the warrant review was to take place, demanding severe punishment for the perpetrator.
They said, "The perpetrator illegally broke into our daughter's home and brutally assaulted her while she was sleeping. As a result, she suffered severe injuries, including brain hemorrhage, was diagnosed with six weeks of recovery, and died while receiving hospital treatment."
"Our daughter, who just turned 19, is lying in a cold morgue at the prime of her youth, unable to even close her eyes properly, without ever having the chance to pursue her dreams. If the detention warrant is not issued today, our family will continue to postpone her funeral," they added.
"Even now, I remember the last words our daughter said in the hospital's intensive care unit. It was just twelve letters: 'Mom, can I survive? I don't want to be here,'" they said through tears.
The parents of the victim in the Geoje ex-girlfriend assault death case are going to submit a petition urging severe punishment for the perpetrator. Photo by Lee Seryeong
B's parents said, "It has been 40 days since our daughter passed away. The perpetrator has neither admitted his wrongdoing nor shown any remorse, instead enjoying nightlife and walking freely on the streets," and urged, "We hope the court imposes the maximum punishment permitted by law."
"Although our daughter is gone, shouldn't we at least try to prevent another victim by A?" they pleaded.
Due to A's absence, the warrant review was conducted in writing.
A court official predicted that if the warrant review proceeds today, the results could be available as early as late this afternoon or by the morning of the following day.
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