Prosecutors have requested the death penalty for Kim So-young, the defendant in the so-called 'Gangbuk motel murders,' who allegedly caused the deaths and injuries of several men by providing them with drug-laced drinks.
During a sentencing hearing on August 18 at the Seoul Northern District Court, presided over by Judge Oh Byung-hee, prosecutors sought the maximum penalty of death for Kim, who has been indicted on charges of murder and assault, and also requested a 30-year electronic monitoring order.
Kim, dressed in a light green prison uniform, showed no reaction as the prosecution presented its case.
The prosecution stated, "The defendant took the lives of victims who were defenseless and expressed affection towards her. The consequences of her actions, which resulted in the deaths of two men and injuries to four others, are extremely serious, and she has shown no remorse throughout the trial, indicating a very bad nature of the crime."
Kim was arrested and indicted in March for allegedly giving drinks containing benzodiazepines, a central nervous system depressant that poses a risk of death when consumed in large quantities, to three men in their 20s between mid-December last year and February this year, resulting in the deaths of two and serious injury to one.
Further investigation revealed that she had previously harmed three other men using similar methods, leading to additional charges in April.
During the trial, Kim's defense team displayed a lack of remorse and attempted to evade responsibility regarding her motives. Kim claimed, "I only gave the drug-laced drinks to prevent unwanted physical contact from the male victims," maintaining that her actions were intended to prevent sexual assault.
However, the victims' families and their legal representatives strongly refuted Kim's claims and called for severe punishment. Nam Eon-ho, a lawyer representing the victims, told reporters before the trial, "The sexual crimes that Kim So-young claims did not even exist, nor were they revealed during the investigation. This is a humiliating and cruel secondary victimization for the families."
He added, "Kim So-young is a serial killer who emerged in a modern era where serial killings are virtually impossible," urging the prosecution and the court to impose the maximum penalty.
Family members of the victims present at the trial also pleaded, "We ask the court to fully consider the gravity of the crimes committed by Kim So-young and to please impose the death penalty," as they fought back tears.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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