A court has sentenced Jang Yoon-ki to life imprisonment for the murder of a high school student committed with the intent of sexual violence.
The 13th Criminal Division of the Gwangju District Court, presided over by Judge Lee Jeong-ho, issued the life sentence on September 30 for charges including violation of the Sexual Violence Punishment Act (rape and murder). The court also ordered Jang to wear an electronic monitoring device and prohibited him from working in institutions related to children, adolescents, and the disabled for 10 years.
The court stated, "All charges against the defendant are found to be guilty," and agreed with the prosecution's argument that Jang should be permanently isolated from society.
In explaining the sentencing, the court noted, "Since the last execution in 1997, South Korea has been classified as a de facto abolitionist country regarding the death penalty," and emphasized that the decision aligns with the proportional balance of similar precedents where the death penalty has been avoided for a long time.
The judges also reflected on the societal consensus regarding the need for severe punishment in this case, stating, "We seriously considered whether imposing the death penalty would fulfill our duties, but we believe that ensuring the defendant is never paroled and strictly enforcing the life sentence is the only way to provide some comfort to the victim and their family, as well as to prevent similar crimes from occurring again."
Jang Yoon-ki was charged with killing Lee Chae-won, a high school student, on May 5 in the Wollyeong-dong area of Gwangju while attempting to commit a sexual crime against her. He also attacked a high school sophomore who rushed to help after hearing her screams.
Additionally, Jang is accused of raping a female co-worker two days before the murder and secretly filming a young woman while serving as a social service worker.
During the trial, the prosecution requested the death penalty, stating on August 31, "We ask for the harshest punishment for the defendant." The primary charge of rape and murder carries a penalty of either death or life imprisonment.
The prosecution explained that although Jang received a below-threshold score on a psychopathy assessment, his emotional risk factors and cold demeanor indicate a high risk of reoffending, including murder and sexual assault, if he were to return to society.
Throughout the trial, Jang acknowledged all charges, including murder for sexual purposes, and submitted three letters of remorse.
The victim's family expressed strong discontent with the ruling, stating, "We are devastated once again by the court's decision. We cannot accept it."
In a press conference, the family and their legal representative criticized the ruling, saying, "While our hearts are still torn apart, the court did not impose the maximum penalty of death on Jang Yoon-ki, who brutally took a life. This decision prioritizes the rights of a remorseless criminal over the grief of the victim's family."
The legal representative announced plans to immediately request an appeal against the first-instance ruling, stating, "We will thoroughly analyze the original ruling to seek a death sentence instead of life imprisonment."
The family has submitted a petition with approximately 100,000 signatures from citizens to the court, urging for the maximum penalty to be imposed and has been conducting a one-person protest to call for severe punishment.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.