Bought a weapon on the day of the crime, but said it was not a planned murder: Loan shark who killed an acquaintance admits charges

[Financial News] A unlicensed private lender who was indicted for killing an acquaintance with a weapon at a print shop in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, over a debt of more than 100 million won admitted the charges at his first trial. However, he argued that he had not planned the killing in advance.
The 13th Criminal Division of the Seoul Western District Court, presided over by Judge Lee Sang-won, held the first hearing on the case of Jung Mo, 35, who was indicted and detained on charges of murder and drunk driving under the Road Traffic Act.
Jung's side admitted all of the charges on the day, but maintained that it was not a premeditated murder.
Jung's lawyer said, "This was not a planned murder in which he decided in advance to kill the victim. It was an ordinary killing that occurred at the scene after the victim dismissed him and the dispute over creditor and debtor issues escalated."
According to prosecutors, Jung, who had been operating as an unlicensed moneylender, began financial dealings with the victim, Song Mo, after lending him about 20 million won around 2022. As Song delayed repayment from early 2024, the amount Jung had not recovered reportedly reached about 130 million won.
Prosecutors believe Jung repeatedly pressed Song to repay the debt, but after hearing responses such as "I have money to receive from relatives," "My father will leave me an inheritance," and "Please wait until the money comes in," he took them as excuses and decided to kill him.
Investigators said Jung bought a weapon at a large supermarket near Seoul Station on the morning of May 22, the day of the crime, then drank about one bottle of soju before going to Song's office. After demanding repayment, he allegedly stabbed Song dozens of times and killed him after Song replied that he could not repay the money immediately.
Jung is also accused of driving a motorcycle for about 5 kilometers while intoxicated, with a blood alcohol concentration of at least 0.03 percent, after the crime.
The victim's family is calling for severe punishment. After the trial, the family's lawyer told reporters that "the defendant said he would proceed with a financial settlement," but added that "the victim's family plans to request severe punishment."
The court plans to question Jung as the defendant at 11 a.m. on Oct. 7 and then close the arguments.
[email protected] Choi Seung-han Reporter