Police: "Intent to Kill Fetus Clearly Recognized in 36-Week Abortion Case"

Decision on 'Reapplication for Arrest Warrant' to Be Made Soon

The police announced on the 28th that the intent to kill the fetus was clearly recognized in the case of 'abortion at 36 weeks (termination of pregnancy)'.

Woo Jong-su, head of the National Investigation Headquarters of the National Police Agency, said at a regular press briefing on the same day, "The fetus was clearly left unattended and died after being normally born," and added, "It is appropriate to apply the charge of murder."

Regarding the rejection of the arrest warrants for the hospital director and the surgeon, Director Woo said, "Although the suspects deny it, considering various objective and circumstantial statements, it is murder," and added, "There was no dispute about the criminal facts in the reasons for the rejection. We will decide soon whether to reapply for the arrest warrants."

On the morning of the 23rd, Kim Seok-beom, the chief judge in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, conducted a pre-arrest detention hearing (warrant review) for the hospital director in his 70s, Yoon Mo, and the surgeon in his 60s, Shim Mo, who are accused of murder and other charges, and then rejected the arrest warrants.

Judge Kim stated, "Considering that a considerable amount of material regarding the basic facts has been collected, the suspects have fixed residences, and other circumstances of the case, it is difficult to recognize the necessity and appropriateness of detaining the suspects at this stage."