"Released in their 30s despite killing someone"…Uproar over letter written by elementary school student murder suspect

'Incheon Elementary Student Murder Case' Main Suspect Kim Mo
"I Want to Be a Small Light to Illuminate People in the Shadows"

A prison letter from the perpetrator of the 'Incheon Elementary School Student Murder Case,' who lured an 8-year-old girl and brutally mutilated her body after killing her, has been revealed, sparking public outrage. On the 2nd, MBC's 'She Killed' released a handwritten letter from Kim Mo (25), the main suspect in the 'Incheon Elementary School Student Murder Case.' In the letter, Kim stated, "I have now decided to focus on what I can do going forward," adding, "I have no plans yet and think it is premature to decide what kind of life I will lead after my release, but I hope to continue my studies a bit more and use that as a stepping stone to help others."

The main perpetrator Kim Mo and accomplice Park Mo in the 'Incheon Elementary School Student Murder Case.' [Image source=Yonhap News]

He continued, "I hope that the various studies I am currently undertaking here will serve as a foundation," and "Someday, I want to become a small light that illuminates the lives of those living in the shadows." He also added, "I dream of becoming someone who can help people avoid making choices they would regret."

Netizens who read Kim's handwritten letter have voiced criticism. They commented, "Parents who have lost their young children unjustly must be living in despair and hell, yet the perpetrator shamelessly talks about hope," "After trampling on a life, wanting to help others is utterly shameless," and "Our country's laws are too lenient. Someone who kills a person is out by their 30s."

A handwritten letter written by Kim Mo, the main perpetrator of the 'Incheon Elementary School Student Murder Case.' [Image source=MBC 'She Killed']

Previously, Kim was charged with kidnapping and murdering A (then 8 years old), a second-grade elementary school student living in the same apartment complex, at a park in Yeonsu-gu on March 29, 2017. He then brutally mutilated and abandoned the body. In 2018, the Supreme Court sentenced him to 20 years in prison, and he is currently serving his sentence.

Park Mo (27, female), who was indicted as an accomplice with Kim, was recognized only for aiding Kim's crime without participating in the murder and was sentenced to 13 years in prison. Based on full-term release, Kim will complete his sentence in 2037 at age 38, and Park will finish hers in 2030 at age 33.