Mother of Girlfriend Also Suffers Serious Injuries Requiring 10 Weeks of Treatment
Court: "Must Spend Life in Prison"
Kim Rea (27), who was indicted on charges of murdering her ex-lover with a weapon after being notified of a breakup and seriously injuring his mother, was sentenced to life imprisonment in the appellate trial, the same as in the first trial.
On May 9, the Criminal Division 1 of the Suwon High Court (Presiding Judge Shin Hyunil) dismissed the defendant's appeal and upheld the original sentence in the appellate trial for Kim Rea's charges of murder and attempted murder, according to a report by Yonhap News Agency on the same day. Previously, the first-instance court had sentenced Kim Rea to life imprisonment and ordered five years of probation after the execution of the sentence.
Kim Rea, who is accused of murdering her ex-lover who broke up with her and injuring his mother. Suwon District Prosecutors' Office
Kim Rea was put on trial on charges of wielding a weapon at her girlfriend A (22), who had come to end the relationship, and A's mother B (47), at her residence in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, at around 9:35 a.m. on March 25 last year. She killed A and caused B to suffer serious injuries requiring at least 10 weeks of medical treatment.
Kim was known to have shown strong obsession with her girlfriend, frequently saying, "If I break up with A, I will kill A and myself." She also displayed violent tendencies, such as throwing and breaking A's mobile phone during arguments or hitting A's arm with her fist, causing bruises. Considering the brutality of the crime and the seriousness of the damage, the prosecution disclosed Kim Rea's personal information and mugshot (a photographic record of a criminal's appearance) in April last year.
The first-instance court stated, "The defendant, upon receiving a breakup notice from the victim, who was in a romantic relationship with her, stabbed the victim's neck, chest, and legs with a weapon, causing the victim to die on the spot. There are no circumstances to be considered in favor of the motive, and both the method and the result of the crime are extremely brutal and horrific." The court added, "Even in the face of the victim’s mother's desperate attempt to save her daughter, the defendant showed no hesitation. The killing process was bold and cold-blooded."
Kim Rea's side argued during the trial that she was suffering from depression and that the crime was an impulsive act committed in a state of diminished mental capacity, as she had consumed soju and painkillers just before the incident. However, the appellate court did not accept this argument. The court rebutted, "When confronted with the breakup, the defendant decided to kill the victim and her mother and prepared for the crime. The 112 report made through the security guard did not reach the investigative authorities."
The court further stated, "Even after considering the various circumstances claimed by the defendant, sentencing her to life imprisonment is a reasonable punishment to protect the lives of members of society and to ensure that the defendant spends the rest of her life in prison, repenting for her wrongdoing and atoning to the deceased victim and her bereaved family."
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