Son-in-law in his 20s arrested on suspicion of killing mother-in-law; court cites risk of flight and evidence tampering

[Financial News] A man in his 20s suspected of killing his mother-in-law with a weapon and forcing his wife into a vehicle before fleeing has been taken into custody. The court found that he posed a risk of flight and evidence tampering.
According to legal sources on the 13th, Senior Judge Seo Beom-jun, who handles warrants at Seoul Eastern District Court, issued an arrest warrant that day for Kim, a man in his 20s suspected of murder of an ascendant and aggravated confinement, saying, “There is a risk that he may flee and destroy evidence.”
Kim did not answer any questions from reporters as he appeared at the pre-arrest suspect examination (warrant hearing) that day. Wearing a cap pulled low and a mask, he headed into the courtroom in silence in response to questions including, “Why did you kill your mother-in-law?”, “Did you plan the crime in advance?” and “Why did you kidnap your wife?”
He remained silent after emerging from the hearing as well. Kim gave no response to reporters’ repeated questions, including, “Did you try to kill other family members, too?”, “Is it true that you forcibly registered your marriage?” and “Do you have anything to say to the bereaved family?”
Kim is suspected of going to his in-laws’ home in Seoul’s Songpa-gu, where his wife had taken refuge, at around 5:38 a.m. on the 11th, stabbing and killing his mother-in-law, who was in her 50s, with a weapon, then forcing his wife into a vehicle and fleeing.
Kim fled toward Gangwon Province with his wife in the vehicle immediately after the crime and was taken into emergency custody by police about seven hours later in a wooded area in Yangyang County, Gangwon Province.
Kim reportedly largely admitted to the allegations during police questioning, but claimed that he had acted impulsively after becoming upset over his relationship with his wife and had not planned to kill his mother-in-law.
However, based in part on the fact that Kim regularly carried a weapon, police are continuing their investigation with the possibility of premeditation in mind.
Having taken Kim into custody, police plan to further investigate the exact motive and circumstances of the crime before referring the case to prosecutors.
[email protected] Lee Dong-hyeok Reporter