"Feels Like Being Ignored"... 50-Year-Old Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Killing Acquaintance at Karaoke

A man in his 50s who was tried for wielding a weapon and killing an acquaintance at a karaoke room in Mapo-gu, Seoul, was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

On the 8th, the Criminal Division 11 of the Seoul Western District Court (Chief Judge Bae Seong-jung) sentenced Jo (51), who was indicted on murder charges, to 20 years in prison and 5 years of probation.

The court stated, "Murder is a serious crime that infringes upon the irreplaceable value of human life and cannot be justified for any reason," adding, "The defendant moved to a regular sashimi restaurant and, carrying a weapon, sought out the victim and brutally killed him simply because of a quarrel and anger. The method of the crime was cruel and the consequences were extremely severe."

The court also said, "The victim ended his life in extreme pain due to this incident, and the bereaved family suffered wounds that are difficult to heal. The defendant was not forgiven by the bereaved family," and added, "Severe punishment is inevitable." The defense's claim that Jo had a mental disorder was not accepted. However, the prosecution's request for an electronic monitoring order was dismissed.

Jo, on May 1 at around 11:40 p.m., wielded a weapon against a male acquaintance in his 40s at a karaoke room near Mangwon Station in Mapo-gu, Seoul, killing him because he felt ignored. Jo was intoxicated at the time of the crime. The victim suffered severe abdominal injuries and was transported to the hospital but died.