"Claiming Accidental Crime After Confirming Daughter's Death"…Appeal from Bereaved Family of 'Seocheon Random Murder'

Bereaved Family Urges Public to Join Online Petition

The bereaved family of the victim in the 'Seocheon random stabbing murder' case is gathering petitions demanding severe punishment for the suspect, Lee Ji-hyun (34).

According to Yonhap News on the 19th, the victim's father, Mr. A, posted an 'Appeal for Severe Punishment of Lee Ji-hyun' online on the 16th, requesting netizens' support. Other bereaved family members, including the victim's cousin, are also sharing the petition link on online communities, urging participation. The family plans to submit the petition to the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office.

Lee Ji-hyun (34). Chungnam Provincial Police Agency

In the petition, Mr. A appealed, "My eldest child was an ordinary office worker who cherished family more than anyone and lived diligently," adding, "Just thinking that my daughter left us in pain has devastated the remaining family members to the point where we can no longer continue living." He pointed out, "The suspect has not apologized to the deceased or the bereaved family; instead, immediately after being apprehended, he hired a lawyer and claims his crime was impulsive," and criticized, "He refuses to give statements unfavorable to himself, focusing solely on self-defense and avoiding punishment."

He also stated, "The suspect stayed at the crime scene for about an hour, behaving as if he was confirming my child's death until the very end," and noted, "The absence of surveillance cameras (CCTV) at the crime scene also indirectly proves the suspect's premeditated crime."

Petition for Severe Punishment of Lee Ji-hyun. Online Community

He continued, "Only a strong punishment of life imprisonment or more for the suspect will bring even a little consolation to our family," and earnestly appealed, "Please help clear the injustice suffered by the victim and my family."

Lee Ji-hyun is accused of stabbing a woman in her 40s to death on a sidewalk in Sagok-ri, Seocheon-gun, around 9:45 p.m. on the 2nd.

The police held a personal information disclosure review committee and publicly released Lee Ji-hyun's personal information starting from the 13th. The information posted on the Chungnam Police Agency website will remain until the 14th of next month.