Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office: "The crime method is brutal and the damage is severe"
Choi indicted and detained on the 12th
The personal information of a suspect who assaulted a man in his 70s, a neighbor he happened to encounter at a smoking area in an apartment complex in Jungnang-gu, Seoul, resulting in the victim's death, has been disclosed.
On the 12th, the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office revealed the personal information of Choi Seong-woo (28), who is accused of assaulting and causing the death of a neighbor in the same apartment complex last month (charge: murder). The suspect Choi Seong-woo's personal information will be posted on the Northern District Prosecutors' Office website for 30 days starting from that day.
On the 10th, the prosecution held a personal information disclosure review committee and decided to disclose Choi Seong-woo's personal information. The prosecution stated, "This case falls under the category of specific serious crimes as defined by the Act on the Disclosure of Personal Information of Suspects of Specific Serious Crimes. The method of the crime was brutal, causing severe damage, and there is a public interest in disclosure. Additionally, the bereaved family requested the disclosure of personal information."
Choi Seong-woo is accused of assaulting a man in his 70s, Mr. A, whom he happened to encounter at a smoking area in an apartment complex in Jungnang-gu, Seoul, at around 7:50 p.m. on August 20, leading to Mr. A's death. At the time, Choi repeatedly struck the victim's face and head dozens of times with his fists and indiscriminately assaulted vital points by smashing his head against landscaping stones. Mr. A was reported to have died one hour after being transported to the hospital. Choi, who was arrested on the spot on charges of injury, had his charges changed to murder after Mr. A's death. The prosecution formally indicted Choi on the day of the announcement.
It was determined that Choi committed the crime under the delusion that Mr. A was threatening him and his mother.
Meanwhile, there are four main conditions that must be met to disclose a suspect's personal information. The Personal Information Disclosure Committee considers the following criteria when deciding whether to disclose personal information: ▲the suspect is an adult ▲the crime method is brutal and the damage is severe ▲there is sufficient evidence to believe the suspect committed the crime ▲disclosure is necessary for public interest, such as ensuring the public's right to know and preventing recidivism by the suspect.
Once disclosure is decided, the suspect's name, age, and face are made public. Furthermore, since the Mugshot Disclosure Act, which allows investigative agencies to disclose the faces of suspects of serious crimes, came into effect on January 25, mugshots (photographs recording the appearance of criminals) can be released regardless of the suspect's consent. This was in response to criticism that previously disclosed photos, such as resident registration card photos, were ineffective because they did not accurately reflect the suspect's current appearance.
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