Suspect's Father in Eunpyeong-gu Apartment Murder Case Sued After Defending Son

Bereaved Family Files Defamation Lawsuit Over Deceased's Honor

The father of a man in his 30s accused of fatally stabbing a neighbor in front of the main gate of an apartment complex in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, was sued by the victim's family after leaving comments suggesting that "his son should rather be compensated because he did something for the public good."

Baek Mo (37), who was urgently arrested by the police on suspicion of fatally attacking a neighbor with a Japanese sword at an apartment in Eunpyeong-gu, is entering the Seoul Western District Court in Mapo-gu, Seoul, to undergo a pre-arrest suspect interrogation (warrant hearing).
[Photo by Yonhap News]

On the 5th, the Western Seoul Police Station announced that they have booked the father of the suspect Baek (37) in the 'Eunpyeong-gu apartment murder case' on charges of defamation of the deceased and are currently investigating.

According to Nam Eon-ho, the chief attorney of Vincent Law Office, who is the legal representative of the victim Kim's (43) family, Baek's father repeatedly posted comments defending Baek about 20 times across 8 to 9 articles related to the Eunpyeong-gu apartment murder case from the end of last month to early this month. Baek's father reportedly posted several comments stating, "The suspect killed to punish a Chinese spy who betrayed the country," and "The suspect should rather be compensated because he did something for the public good."

In response, the victim's family posted a heartfelt message on an online community saying, "Even if he cannot apologize, he is driving a nail into the hearts of the bereaved family." Attorney Nam said, "There is no fact that the victim tried to betray the country," and added, "We judged this to be a serious defamation of the deceased and have filed a complaint."

Meanwhile, Baek is accused of fatally stabbing neighbor Kim around 11:22 p.m. on July 20 in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, when Kim briefly came out to the apartment main gate to smoke a cigarette. Kim, who was slashed on the shoulder, walked to a nearby security post to call for help, but Baek chased him and stabbed him several more times. Kim died while being transported by ambulance.