Drove Family Into Sea Due to Financial Hardship... Man in His 40s Detained and Referred to Prosecution

After Giving Family Sleeping Pills, Drives Car Into the Sea... Three Family Members Dead
Labor Office Investigation and 200 Million Won Debt Pressure Led to the Crime
Evidence Confirms Wife with Bipolar Disorder Was Also Involved

A man in his 40s who drove his entire family into the sea due to financial hardship has been handed over to the prosecution.

The Gwangju Bukbu Police Station announced on the 11th that Ji Mo (49) has been detained and referred to the prosecution on charges of murder and aiding and abetting suicide. Ji is accused of driving a car carrying his wife and two high school-aged children into the sea at Jindo Port in Imhoe-myeon, Jindo-gun, South Jeolla Province at around 1:12 a.m. on June 1, resulting in the deaths of all three family members.

Ji Mo (49), who was arrested on charges of killing his wife and children due to financial difficulties, is attending a pre-arrest suspect hearing (warrant review) at the Gwangju District Court on the morning of the 4th. Photo by Yonhap News

According to the police investigation, Ji gave his family drinks laced with sleeping pills before the crime, then drove the vehicle into the water, escaping from the car himself and fleeing the scene. He was apprehended in Gwangju about 44 hours later.

Ji, who worked as a construction site laborer, was under investigation by the labor office for failing to pay about 30 million won in wages to workers due to unpaid construction fees. He also began to default on debts totaling around 200 million won, including credit card bills, and it was revealed that he had planned an extreme act. It was also confirmed that his livelihood and job had collapsed simultaneously as he cared for his wife, who suffered from bipolar disorder.

The police stated, "It was determined that Ji's wife was also aware of his plan and participated in carrying it out together."

* If you are struggling with depression or difficult concerns, or if you have family or acquaintances facing such challenges, you can receive 24-hour professional counseling at the Suicide Prevention Hotline ☎1577-0199, the Hope Line ☎129, the Lifeline ☎1588-9191, or the Youth Line ☎1388.