South Korean woman gets death sentence for motel murders
Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- A 21-year-old woman, Kim So-young, has been sentenced to death for a series of motel murders in Seoul.
- Prosecutors argued her crimes were severe, involving the deaths of two men and the injury of four others, and noted her lack of remorse.
- Kim pleaded for a chance to live, claiming she did not know the drinks she gave victims were lethal.
A South Korean court has heard the case of Kim So-young, a 21-year-old accused of a string of motel murders, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty. The Seoul Northern District Court heard the final arguments on August 18, where prosecutors requested capital punishment and a 30-year electronic monitoring order.
Kim is accused of fatally poisoning two men in Seoul's Gangbuk district in January and February by giving them drugged drinks. She is also suspected of drugging other men last year, bringing the total number of victims to six, including the two deceased.
I don't want to die here. Please save me. Just give me one chance to live properly.
Prosecutors highlighted the severity of her crimes, stating Kim murdered two individuals and injured four others. They pointed out that she continued her killing spree even while under investigation for assault, exploiting victims who showed her affection. The prosecution also criticized her consistent dishonesty and lack of repentance throughout the investigation and trial.
Kim confessed to giving drugged drinks to some victims, but argued she lacked the intent to kill.
Kim's defense argued that while she admitted to giving some victims drugged drinks, she lacked the intent to kill, as she was unaware of the drug's potency or lethal dosage. In her final statement, Kim expressed remorse for the harm caused to the victims and their families, stating she never intended to kill anyone. She pleaded for a chance to live and reform, saying, "I don't want to die here. Please save me. Just give me one chance to live properly."
The sentencing is scheduled for August 27.
Kim has committed extremely malicious acts, taking the lives of victims who showed her favor, and her blameworthiness is extremely high.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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