‘Gangbuk Motel Serial Killings’ Case Involving Kim So-young Goes to Appeal; Both Sides File Appeals

[Financial News] Prosecutors have appealed the life sentence handed down at the first trial to Kim So-young, 20, who was accused of giving drug-laced drinks to men at a motel and other locations in Seoul’s Gangbuk District, causing some to die and others to suffer injuries. With both sides challenging the first-trial ruling, the case is expected to be reconsidered on appeal.
According to legal sources on the 2nd, the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office filed an appeal that day with the 14th Criminal Division of the Seoul Northern District Court, presided over by Judge Oh Byung-hee. It cited mistakes of fact and misapplication of the law regarding the portions resulting in partial acquittals, and improper sentencing regarding the overall punishment. Kim So-young also filed an appeal on August 28, the day after the sentence was handed down.
The court previously sentenced Kim So-young, who had been indicted in custody on charges including murder, aggravated injury, and violations of the Narcotics Control Act, to life imprisonment. It also ordered her to wear an electronic location-tracking device for 30 years. However, she was acquitted of some aggravated-injury charges due to insufficient evidence.
At the final hearing, prosecutors sought the death penalty for Kim So-young and asked the court to order her to wear an electronic location-tracking device for 30 years, among other measures. Explaining the request, prosecutors said, "The consequences of the crimes are extremely serious," and added, "Even while being investigated for a previous aggravated-injury charge, she failed to exercise restraint and went on to commit murder." They continued, "The nature of the crimes is exceptionally grave, as she took the lives of victims who had shown interest in her and placed their trust in her," and pointed out, "From the investigation through the courtroom proceedings, she has consistently lied and shown no remorse whatsoever."
Kim So-young is accused of giving psychotropic-drug-laced drinks to three men in their 20s between December last year and February this year, killing two of them and leaving one in critical condition. She is also accused of injuring three men in their 20s and 30s in the same manner between October last year and January this year.
[email protected] Seo Ji-yoon Reporter