“Preparation of Weapon Constitutes Attempted Murder”
A man in his 40s who attacked an acquaintance with a weapon out of resentment over cryptocurrency investment losses has been sentenced to 17 years in prison, with the sentence now finalized.
On October 8, the Supreme Court’s Second Division (Presiding Justice Eom Sangpil) announced that it had upheld the lower court’s ruling from September 4, sentencing a man in his 40s, surnamed Jeong, to 17 years in prison for attempted murder and aggravated assault. Two men in their 30s, who were also charged for participating in the assault (including aggravated assault), were each sentenced to one year and six months, and one year in prison, respectively, with those sentences also finalized.
Three men in their 40s, including one who severely injured two middle-aged men during a street fight in Songdo International City, Incheon, last May. Photo by Yonhap News
Jeong had suffered significant losses after investing in cryptocurrency on the recommendation of a man in his 50s, referred to as Mr. A, whom he met five to six years ago while serving time in prison. Harboring resentment, Jeong went with acquaintances to confront Mr. A in a street in Songdo, Incheon, last May, demanding the return of his cryptocurrency and engaging in a verbal altercation that escalated into violence. During the incident, Jeong was charged with attempting to murder Mr. A’s coworker, who tried to break up the fight, by stabbing him multiple times with a weapon.
The first trial court found that Jeong had prepared the weapon in advance and targeted vital areas such as the face, recognizing the act as attempted murder and sentencing him to 17 years in prison.
The appellate court also stated, “CCTV footage from the time of the crime shows that Jeong was the first to launch a full-scale attack, swinging his fist at the victim’s face,” and added, “It can be concluded that Jeong had both the intention and plan to use the weapon if a certain situation arose, and his intent to kill is acknowledged.” The appellate court upheld the same sentence.
Both the first and second trial courts also ruled that the two accomplices bore significant responsibility, sentencing them to one year and six months, and one year in prison, respectively.
Jeong’s wife, who was indicted for aiding and abetting attempted murder by driving Jeong’s group near the crime scene and calling the victim to the location, was sentenced to two years and six months in prison in the first trial. However, she was acquitted in the appellate court.
The court considered that she had let only Jeong out of the car to avoid a confrontation and had previously expressed to Mr. A that she hoped there would be no physical altercation. The Supreme Court also agreed with the appellate court’s judgment and dismissed the prosecution’s appeal.
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