Even Killed His Mother Who Returned Two Hours Later... Motive Behind Man in His 30s Killing Entire Family

Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty Citing Need for Permanent Isolation from Society

Prosecutors have sought the death penalty for a man in his 30s who murdered three family members, including his parents and older brother, in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province. The man stated that his motive was that he "could not leave his mother alone."

According to multiple media reports, on the 20th, the Criminal Division 1 of the Bucheon branch of the Incheon District Court (presided over by Judge Yeo Hyunjung) asked Mr. A (36), who is on trial for murder and other charges, "There was a time gap between killing your brother and father and then your mother. Why did you commit the crimes?" Mr. A replied, "I thought my mother would struggle too much if she was left alone, so I wished that this family would just come to an end. I did not harbor any resentment toward my mother or father."

On July 10, a man in his 30s identified as A, suspected of killing three family members including his parents in their 60s to 70s and his older brother in his 30s with a weapon at a detached house in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, appeared on July 13 at the Bucheon branch of the Incheon District Court in Wonmi-gu, Bucheon City, for a pre-arrest suspect interrogation (warrant hearing). Photo by Yonhap News

Mr. A further explained, "After entering university, I lived alone for a long time, but recently started living with my family again at my mother's suggestion. My mother and father worried about me, but my brother was always violent. As we got older, my brother kept trying to resolve things with violence, and I think I finally snapped because of that."

Prosecutors argued that Mr. A "must be permanently isolated from society" and requested the death penalty, as well as a 10-year order for the attachment of an electronic monitoring device (ankle bracelet).

Mr. A's defense attorney stated, "After living alone for a long period, Mr. A became addicted to computer videos and other media, raising suspicions of a mental disorder. We ask the court to consider that he appears to need treatment and is deeply remorseful."

The sentencing for Mr. A will be handed down in the same court on the 26th of next month.

Mr. A is accused of stabbing to death his parents, who were in their 60s and 70s, and his older brother in his 30s at his home in Haseong-myeon, Gimpo City, at around 11 a.m. on July 10. At the time, Mr. A, a freelance web programmer, had lost his source of income and had been living with his family since June. On the day of the incident, when his mother cried out of concern for him, Mr. A reportedly struck the wall with his bare hands and assaulted her, complaining, "Why are you bothering me?"

After injuring his hand, he was transported to the hospital by emergency responders along with his brother. Mr. A argued with his brother, and after returning home, he approached his brother from behind while his brother was using the computer and killed him with a weapon. He then murdered his father, who witnessed the crime, and two hours later, killed his mother when she returned home. The police received a report from an acquaintance who discovered bloodstains at the entrance of the house on the morning of July 11, the day after the incident, and rushed to the scene, where they arrested Mr. A at the residence.