Suspect Refuses Drug Rapid Test
Search Warrant for Body Seizure Also Issued
Baek Mo (37), who is accused of killing a neighbor with a Japanese sword in an apartment complex in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, has been arrested by the police. A search warrant for Baek's body was also issued.
On the morning of the 1st, Lee Soon-hyung, the warrant judge at the Seoul Western District Court, held a pre-arrest suspect interrogation (warrant review) for Baek, who is charged with murder, and issued an arrest warrant, citing concerns over evidence destruction and flight risk.
Additionally, the court issued a search warrant for Baek's body. The police applied for the search warrant after Baek refused a preliminary drug test.
When Baek appeared for the arrest warrant hearing around 9:50 a.m., he responded "No" to reporters' questions about whether he felt sorry for the victim. When asked if he committed the crime because he thought the victim was stalking him, he answered "Yes," and regarding his refusal to take the drug test, he said, "I didn't because of secret spies."
After the warrant hearing ended, Baek claimed, "My motive for the crime was to punish Kim Geon-hee, who betrayed the country, and Chinese spies," asserting that they were trying to start a war on the Korean Peninsula with China. He also said, "I am not mentally weak. I committed the crime with a sound mind."
According to the police, Baek is accused of swinging a 75 cm long Japanese sword in front of the main gate of the apartment complex in Eunpyeong-gu around 11:30 p.m. on the 29th of last month, killing a male resident of the same complex, Mr. A (43).
Baek slashed the victim's shoulder and other areas as the victim had briefly stepped outside to smoke, and even after Mr. A went to the nearby apartment management office to report the incident, Baek reportedly swung the weapon multiple times. Mr. A was transported to the hospital but eventually died.
During the police investigation, Baek stated that he committed the crime because he believed the victim was a spy who was continuously stalking him. However, it was found that Baek and the victim only encountered each other during walks and had no personal relationship.
Baek was known to exhibit erratic behavior such as shouting alone or using abusive language in the apartment complex, which had previously prompted police intervention.
The police are investigating Baek's mental health history and the specific circumstances of the crime. They also plan to test his hair and urine to check for drug use.
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