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🇰🇷 South Korea /Crime & Justice

‘Stalking murder’ suspect Kim Hun misses first hearing, partially denies charges

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • Kim Hun, accused of stalking and murder, did not appear at his first court hearing.
  • Kim's defense team stated he partially denies the charges and cited a scheduling conflict for his absence.
  • The court scheduled a new hearing for next month to address the defense's position.

Kim Hun, 44, who is accused of stalking and murdering his former girlfriend, failed to appear for his first court hearing. His defense team informed the court that Kim partially denies the charges against him.

The trial was scheduled to take place at the Namyangju branch of the Uijeongbu District Court. Kim's legal representative submitted a document explaining his absence, citing a last-minute meeting with a newly appointed lawyer that conflicted with the court appearance time. The court has rescheduled the hearing for July 9 to further examine the defense's stance.

The meeting schedule with Kim Hun, who was appointed a lawyer separately yesterday, was rushed, and he could not make it to court on time.

— Kim's public defenderExplanation for Kim Hun's absence from the first court hearing.

Kim is accused of fatally stabbing his ex-girlfriend in her car on March 14 in Namyangju City. He allegedly broke her car window before committing the crime. After the incident, he damaged his electronic ankle monitor and fled, but was apprehended approximately one hour later.

Prosecutors indicted Kim on April 8 with six charges, including retaliatory murder and destruction of property. The court has decided to merge this case with a previous one where Kim was charged with assaulting the victim. Additionally, three accomplices have been referred to prosecutors for allegedly attaching tracking devices to the victim's and her associates' vehicles, and Kim faces further charges related to violating location information laws.

Kim partially denies some charges related to the retaliatory murder and assault cases.

— Kim's public defenderStatement regarding Kim Hun's partial admission of guilt.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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