It Was Not the First Time... 'Dating Murder' Kim Rea Also Abused and Threatened Her Ex-Boyfriend

Examining the Criminal Record Revealed in the First Trial Judgment

Kim Rea (26), who was recently sentenced to life imprisonment on charges of stabbing her partner to death with a weapon after he announced their breakup and seriously injuring his mother, was found to have previously been booked for assaulting and threatening another woman she had dated.

Kim Rea (26), who was recently sentenced to life imprisonment on charges of stabbing and killing her lover with a weapon for breaking up with her, and seriously injuring his mother as well.
[Image source=Provided by Suwon District Prosecutors' Office]

According to the first trial judgment by the 14th Criminal Division of Suwon District Court (Chief Judge Ko Kwonhong) on the 27th, Kim Rea was confirmed to have been excessively possessive and had assaulted and threatened a woman she had been dating for several years in the past. Kim Rea became angry when Woman A, whom she had dated before, went to a club and met another man, and assaulted her. Additionally, during a temporary breakup, Kim Rea assaulted Woman A again for meeting another man and damaged her cellphone.

Meanwhile, Kim Rea was also investigated on charges of threatening Woman A by threatening to distribute illegally filmed sexual videos after Woman A demanded a breakup. Regarding the threats and assaults, since there was an agreement with Woman A, the case was dismissed due to 'lack of prosecution rights,' and for the charge of property damage, a suspension of prosecution was issued.

This is the same pattern of obsession and threats Kim Rea exhibited toward Victim B, whom she killed for announcing a breakup. Kim Rea interfered with B’s friendships and made B use speakerphone during calls. During disputes with B, she reportedly used insulting language and even broke B’s cellphone. She strangled and pushed B, causing bruises, and threatened by repeatedly stabbing a doll with a weapon as if the doll were the victim.

In March, when the murder occurred, Kim Rea assaulted B to the extent that bruises appeared on both of B’s arms. When B demanded a breakup because of this, Kim Rea threatened, saying, "I will kill not only you but also those around you." B’s mother, C, who discovered bruises on her daughter’s body, learned that her daughter could not break up due to threats such as "I will distribute nude photos" and "I will kill everyone." To obtain an agreement that the nude photos would not be distributed, she went with her daughter to Kim Rea’s residence and was attacked.

On March 25, Kim Rea let B and her mother C into her home. When C scolded her for 'dating violence,' Kim Rea stabbed B multiple times in the neck and chest with a weapon from the kitchen. While C tried to stop her, B escaped outside, but Kim Rea chased after her, saying, "If you’re not mine, you have to die."

The court stated, "There are no circumstances to mitigate the motive for the crime, and the method and result are extremely cruel and horrific," and sentenced Kim Rea to life imprisonment based on her relationship with the victims, motive, means and method, post-crime situation, and her 'criminal record.'