Prosecutors Appeal Life Sentence in Case of Teenage Girl Murdered by Stranger
The appellate court verdict for Daesung Park (31), who brutally murdered a teenage girl in the prime of her youth, is expected this week. Prosecutors have repeatedly demanded the death penalty, describing it as a "heinous crime committed to relieve personal dissatisfaction."
Daesung Park was indicted on charges of stabbing an 18-year-old woman multiple times with a weapon without clear reason while she was walking in Jorye-dong, Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do, around 12:44 a.m. on September 26 last year. The photo shows Daesung Park being transferred from Suncheon Police Station to the prosecution on October 4 last year. Photo by Yonhap News
The Criminal Division 1 of the Gwangju High Court is scheduled to deliver its appellate verdict on May 1 in the case of Daesung Park, who was indicted on charges including murder. Daesung Park was charged with killing an 18-year-old woman, whom he did not know, with a weapon on a street in Suncheon, Jeollanam-do last September, and then preparing for additional crimes by visiting bars and karaoke rooms.
The court of first instance sentenced Daesung Park to life imprisonment and 20 years of electronic monitoring. However, prosecutors appealed, arguing that "this sentence does not correspond to the gravity of the crime," and requested the death penalty in the appellate trial. Prosecutors specifically pointed out that "life imprisonment with the possibility of parole is unjust."
During the investigation and trial, Daesung Park admitted to the murder charge but claimed, "I do not remember because I was drunk," regarding his motive and whether the crime was premeditated. His personal information and facial photograph were made public early in the case to guarantee the public's right to know and to prevent recidivism.
Immediately after the prosecution demanded the death penalty, Daesung Park stated in his final remarks, "A person lost their life because of my wrongful actions, and the bereaved family has suffered an irreparable emotional wound. I know I cannot be forgiven, and at this moment, all I can say is that I am sorry."
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