Man Accused of Brutal Murder Faces First Trial
The first trial for a 23-year-old man accused of fatally attacking a high school student on a public street is scheduled to begin on the 22nd. The Gwangju District Court’s Criminal Division 13, presided over by Judge Lee Jeong-ho, has set the initial hearing for Jang Yun-gi at 10 AM on the 22nd. He is currently detained on charges related to the alleged aggravated rape and murder of a second-year high school student.
Details of the Alleged Attack
Authorities report that on the 5th of last month, around 12:10 AM, Jang allegedly attempted to abduct a female high school student on a pedestrian street in Wolgye-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju. When the victim resisted, he is accused of stabbing her with a weapon, resulting in her death. The indictment also includes charges of sexual assault against a 20-year-old Vietnamese national, identified as Ms. A, who was working with Jang as a part-time colleague. He is accused of wielding a weapon at a male passerby who attempted to help the victim and then assaulting Ms. A.
Defense and Prosecution Arguments
During the investigation, Jang repeatedly claimed that the act was unintentional, stating he was considering suicide at the time. However, prosecutors argue that the evidence points to aggravated murder. They cite evidence showing Jang attempted to drag the fleeing victim towards a vehicle and that his actions against Ms. A, including the method of assault, closely match the circumstances of sexual assault. Under South Korean law, aggravated murder carries severe penalties, including life imprisonment or the death penalty, while standard murder has a minimum sentence of five years.
Victim and Community Response
The victim, Lee Chae-won, 17, was a second-year high school student with aspirations of joining the emergency services. Her 49th-day memorial service is scheduled for the 21st at 5 PM at the Gwangju City Education Center’s Civic Promotion Center. Several civic organizations, including the Gwangju and Jeonnam Women’s Associations, are planning to hold a rally outside the Gwangju District Court on the day of Jang’s trial, demanding severe punishment.
Public Disclosure of Suspect’s Information
Jang’s personal details, including his date of birth and photograph, were publicly disclosed during the police investigation phase, considering the public’s right to know and the severity of the crime. However, a psychological evaluation conducted by the police concluded that Jang does not meet the criteria for a psychopathic offender.
Jang has appointed a lawyer specializing in criminal cases and has not yet submitted a formal defense statement to the court.
