Man in His 60s Sentenced to 20 Years for Murdering Cohabiting Woman in Garibong-dong

[Financial News] A Chinese man who was brought to trial for fatally stabbing his cohabiting partner with a weapon in Garibong-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison in the first trial.
The Criminal Division 14 of the Seoul Southern District Court, presided over by Chief Judge Lee Jung-hee, sentenced Mr. Kim (62), a Chinese national, to 20 years in prison on charges of murder. The court also ordered five years of probation. However, the court dismissed the Prosecution Service’s request for a 10-year electronic monitoring order.
The court noted, "The defendant claimed that the victim first wielded a weapon and appeared ready to attack, and that he acted in self-defense without intent to kill. However, considering the victim’s injuries, the weapon used, and the number of attacks, there is sufficient evidence of intent to kill." The court further stated, "He stabbed the victim dozens of times out of suspicion of infidelity, making the crime particularly grave."
The court continued, "The defendant had previously been fined for assaulting the victim and causing injuries requiring six weeks of treatment, yet did not reflect on his actions. From the beginning of the investigation, he has offered unconvincing excuses, claiming he had no intent to kill and blaming the victim for her own death, showing no sign of remorse."
The court added, "The victim’s family is experiencing significant distress and wishes for criminal punishment. However, considering that the crime was not premeditated and the defendant’s advanced age, these factors were taken into account in determining the sentence."
Mr. Kim was brought to trial for stabbing the woman in her 50s, with whom he lived, multiple times with a weapon at a dormitory in Garibong-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul, at around 3:17 a.m. on July 31. It was found that Mr. Kim had ongoing conflicts with the victim due to suspicions of infidelity, and that he committed the crime in a fit of rage during an argument on the day of the incident.
It was also confirmed that Mr. Kim had previously been fined for injuring the victim in June 2023. Five days before the incident, the victim reportedly called the police, saying, "He is harassing me. I will call again soon," which drew public attention.
At a previous sentencing hearing, the Prosecution Service requested a 30-year prison term for Mr. Kim, along with a 10-year electronic monitoring order and five years of probation.
[email protected] Jang Yoo-ha, Park Sung-hyun Reporter