"If You Mess with My Child, I'll Kill You" Woman in Her 50s Threatens Convenience Store Owner over Son's Dismissal

Chuncheon District Court Fines Woman 3 Million Won
for Threatening Convenience Store Owner Over Son's Dismissal

A woman in her 50s was fined after threatening a convenience store owner over the phone, believing her son had been unfairly treated and fired from the store.

According to Yonhap News on April 26, the Chuncheon District Court Criminal Division 3 (Presiding Judge Park Donguk) sentenced Ms. A (55, female), who was indicted on charges of intimidation, to a fine of 3 million won. In February 2023, Ms. A believed her son had been unfairly treated and dismissed from a convenience store operated by Mr. B. She was brought to trial for threatening Mr. B over the phone with statements such as, "I will do to you exactly what was done to my son," "If you mess with my child, I will risk everything and kill you," and "I was even planning to kill your two children." She also referenced the Netflix drama 'The Glory,' which deals with school violence, saying, "You saw how they took revenge after tormenting a child like that, right?" and "Never let your son ride the elevator alone," making it appear as though she intended to directly harm Mr. B's family.

About four months later, in June of the same year, she again called Mr. B and made further threats, saying, "The next time we meet, it will be a physical fight. I can't stand it any longer," "My son is in the military now, and he's grown a lot stronger there, so he might even kill your mother," and "I have already declared in advance what my son will do to you."

The court stated, "Considering the content of the threats made by the defendant against the victim, the nature of the crime is serious," and pointed out, "The victim appears to have suffered significant psychological distress as a result of the defendant's actions." Regarding the sentencing, the court explained, "The defendant has admitted to the crime, shown remorse, and repeatedly pledged not to commit such wrongdoing again. Taking into account the defendant's poor health, the fact that aside from a previous fine for assault there is no other significant criminal record, the sentence was determined accordingly."