"Tell My Grandmother I'm Sorry": Teen Dies After Senior's Bullying... Prosecutors Seek Prison Sentence for Perpetrator

Forced to Buy Motorcycle, Then Demanded Late Fees
Victim's Family Refuses Settlement with Perpetrator

A teenage student in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, died after enduring bullying from a senior. Prosecutors have requested a prison sentence for the perpetrator.

According to reports from Yonhap News and others on January 28, during the final hearing at the Andong branch of the Daegu District Court (presided over by Senior Judge Son Young-eon), prosecutors requested a sentence of four years in prison with a minimum of three years for A (a teenager), who was indicted on charges including assault, for bullying a younger student to death.

The Asia Business Daily Database

The victim, B (also a teenager at the time of death), died on August 19 last year on the rooftop of an apartment building. At the time, A was accused of repeatedly assaulting B, extorting money and valuables, and subjecting him to ongoing bullying.

Investigations revealed that A forced B to buy a used 125cc motorcycle, which A had purchased for 700,000 won, for 1.4 million won. A then demanded late fees for delayed payment, extorted additional money, and assaulted B. A also withheld the transfer of the motorcycle’s ownership until all additional payments were made. The total amount B gave to A reached 5 million won.

Two days before his death, B was caught and booked for driving the motorcycle without a license, and the motorcycle was confiscated. Unable to raise more money, B feared retaliation from A. On the day of his death, B left a message for his girlfriend, asking her to "tell my grandmother I am sorry," before passing away.

A admitted to the crime and expressed willingness to reach a settlement, but B’s family reportedly refused. The sentencing hearing for A is scheduled for 2 p.m. on March 25.