Prosecution Appeals Life Sentence of Choi Won-jong in 'Bundang Stabbing Rampage' Case

Suwon High Prosecutors' Office Submits Appeal to Suwon High Court
"Severity of Harm, Lack of Remorse Justify Death Sentence"

The prosecution has filed an appeal against the second trial verdict that sentenced the defendant, Choi Won-jong, to life imprisonment for causing 14 casualties in a stabbing rampage near Bundang Seohyeon Station.

Defendant Choi Won-jong in the stabbing incident at Seohyeon Station, Bundang (Photo by Yonhap News)

On the 27th, the Suwon High Prosecutors' Office submitted a notice of appeal to the Suwon High Court, the appellate court for Choi Won-jong's murder and other charges. The prosecution had previously sought the death penalty for Choi Won-jong.

The prosecution stated, "The appellate court ruled that 'the defendant was in a state of diminished mental capacity at the time of the crime, and although this is difficult to consider as a legal mitigating factor, it was taken into account as one of the sentencing factors along with other sentencing considerations, thus upholding the first trial's decision to sentence him to life imprisonment.' However, considering the defendant's intelligence, the premeditation of the crime, and his attitude during the investigation and trial, it cannot be concluded that the defendant was in a state of diminished mental capacity at the time of the crime."

The prosecution continued, "Given the severity of the harm caused and the absence of genuine remorse from the defendant during the investigation and trial, it is deemed appropriate for the death penalty to be imposed as the prosecution requested. The prosecution has filed the appeal on the grounds of legal errors regarding the choice and sentencing of the punishment and violations of the rules of evidence."

Choi Won-jong's side also filed a notice of appeal with the court on the 21st. On the 20th, the Criminal Division 2-1 of the Suwon High Court (Presiding Judges Kim Min-ki, Kim Jong-woo, and Park Kwang-seo) dismissed both the defendant's and the prosecution's appeals and upheld the first trial's life imprisonment sentence.

The appellate court stated, "It is clear that the defendant must pay a price commensurate with the crime committed," but also judged that "considering the sentencing and fairness of other similar cases, it is difficult to see this case as one where a death sentence is the only acceptable option justified to the extent that anyone would accept it."

Choi Won-jong was tried on charges of murder, attempted murder, and attempted premeditated murder for driving his mother's car onto the sidewalk near AK Plaza Bundang branch in Bundang-gu, Seongnam City on August 3 last year, hitting five people, then getting out of the car and wielding a weapon inside the department store.

During the trial, Choi Won-jong admitted to the charges but gave incoherent explanations about his motive, claiming that he committed the crime to protect himself from stalking group members who intended to harm him.

Choi Won-jong's defense attorney requested a reduced sentence from the appellate court, arguing that the crime was committed due to severe schizophrenia.