Teen Imitating 'Sillim Station Stabbing' Incident Receives Reduced Sentence in Second Trial... Reason Explained

Judged to Have Potential for Improvement Through Future Rehabilitation and Treatment

A teenager who attempted to wield a weapon at two middle school students on the street, imitating the 'Sillim-dong weapon rampage incident,' received a reduced sentence in the second trial.

On the 17th, the Seoul High Court Criminal Division 7 (Presiding Judges Lee Jae-kwon, Song Mi-kyung, Kim Seul-gi) sentenced A (17) to 5 years and 3 years in prison, respectively, on charges of attempted murder in the appeal trial. This ruling reduced the sentence from the first trial on February 1, which was 6 years and 4 years in prison, respectively. A filed an appeal against this appellate court ruling as well.

The court explained the sentencing rationale, stating, "The defendant voluntarily stopped the crime, resulting in an attempt rather than completion, reached an agreement with one victim, and made a criminal deposit of 10 million won for the other victim. Currently, as a 17-year-old juvenile, he is socially and mentally immature, experiencing mental difficulties such as depressive disorder, and there is potential for behavioral improvement through appropriate rehabilitation and treatment in the future."

It added, "The defendant's parents have also pledged to properly guide him and make efforts for treatment and rehabilitation," and "Considering the defendant's familial and social ties, there is sufficient possibility that he will correct his wrongful behavior and grow into a sound individual in the future."

Earlier, A was accused of injuring two female middle school students with a weapon in a park in Seocho-gu, Seoul, last October. A had seen the 'Sillim Station weapon rampage incident' on the news and brought three weapons and one blunt instrument in a bag with the intent to harm people. He took an express bus from Changwon-si, Gyeongnam Province, to Seoul. After arriving in Seoul, he intended to go to Sillim-dong in Gwanak-gu but ended up chasing the victims who happened to catch his eye, according to the investigation.

In the first trial, A testified, "Attempted murder sounded cool, and since I am a juvenile, I thought I would be released soon," adding, "I planned to brag to my friends once I got out."

Meanwhile, under the Juvenile Act, the court can set upper and lower limits for sentences divided into long-term and short-term for minors who commit crimes. After serving the short-term sentence, the juvenile may be evaluated by correctional authorities and possibly released early.