'Seoul Gangseo-gu Officetel Murder' First Trial... Man in His 40s Admits Charges

A man in his 40s who killed a woman in an officetel in Gangseo-gu, Seoul admitted to the charges at his first trial.

The Criminal Division 13 of the Seoul Southern District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Sang-yeon) held the first hearing on the morning of the 7th for Kim (44), who was arrested and indicted on murder charges. Kim's defense attorney acknowledged all the charges but stated, "However, we will only argue for sentencing on the grounds that there was no plan or preparation to kill the victim," adding, "There is no evidence that the defendant asked the victim to come to his residence. CCTV footage confirmed that the victim suddenly came to the residence while the defendant was away, and they met on the day of the crime. This supports that the incident occurred impulsively."

According to the prosecution, on the day of the crime, Kim threatened the victim with a weapon he brought from the kitchen during their conversation, saying he would stab her if she did not unlock her smartphone. When the victim refused, he committed the crime. Kim attacked the victim multiple times from behind with the weapon, and when she continued to scream and resist, he strangled her to death.

The victim's mother, Ms. A, participated in the trial as a witness. She testified, "In my opinion, (my daughter) seemed to have been under some mental coercion. From about ten days before her death, she showed signs of anxiety and restlessness unlike usual." Ms. A said, "The defendant cowardly wielded a knife from behind. My daughter must have screamed in pain, and if she had come to her senses and reported it then, she might still be here with me now," expressing her grief, "The defendant could have saved my daughter but instead committed two murders."