Life Sentence Sought for Jang Jaewon for Rape and Murder of Ex-Girlfriend in Daejeon

Stabbed to Death with a Weapon on a Road in Seo-gu, Daejeon
Prosecutors: "The Nature of the Crime Is Egregious and the Case Is Grave"

Prosecutors have sought a life sentence for Jang Jaewon (27), who was indicted on charges of raping his ex-girlfriend and murdering her in broad daylight on a public road.

Jang Jaewon, suspect in the homicide case in Goejeong-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon. Daejeon Metropolitan Police Agency

According to Yonhap News on January 8, during the trial held at the 11th Criminal Division of the Daejeon District Court (presided over by Chief Judge Park Woogeun), prosecutors stated, "Given the circumstances, methods, and details of the crime, the nature of the offense is extremely egregious, and the victim's family is appealing for the strictest punishment." Prosecutors also requested that Jang be ordered to wear an electronic location-tracking device for 30 years.

Jang was indicted for threatening and raping his ex-girlfriend, referred to as A, at a motel in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, at around 6:58 a.m. on July 29 last year, and then stabbing and killing her with a weapon on a road in Goejeong-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon, at 12:10 p.m. the same day.

He is also accused of confining A in the motel to prevent her from leaving and filming her body with his mobile phone. The investigation found that he committed these crimes because he believed A was ignoring him and not reciprocating his feelings.

In June last year, Jang also assaulted A by pushing her against the exterior wall of a building in a fit of anger. Prior to the murder, he purchased tools in advance and searched for related information on his mobile phone.

Jang's attorney again requested, as in the previous hearing, that the court review the legal validity of applying the special law on sexual violence crimes (rape and murder) in this case. The defense argued that since the rape and murder occurred at different times and places, Jang should be charged with both rape and murder as separate offenses, rather than as a combined offense under the special law.

The attorney stated, "While all facts are acknowledged, we ask the court to consider whether it is appropriate to apply the rape and murder charge or to treat them as concurrent offenses," and added, "Given that Jang has consistently admitted to the crimes since his arrest and actively cooperated with the investigation, we request a lenient sentence within the bounds permitted by law."

Jang admitted to his crimes, saying, "I am deeply sorry for committing such a horrific crime that has shocked society. I apologize to the victim and the bereaved family who must now live in pain. I will spend my life in repentance."