Teen boy accused of attacking ex-girlfriend with a weapon gets an indeterminate sentence of up to 7 years, with a 4-year minimum, in first trial

[Financial News] A teenage boy who was sent to trial on charges of injuring his ex-girlfriend with a weapon in a residential neighborhood in Seoul was sentenced to prison in the first trial.
The 13th Criminal Panel of Seoul Southern District Court, presided over by Judge Seo Bo-min, sentenced A, 17, on the 27th to an indeterminate prison term of seven years (maximum) and four years (minimum) for attempted murder, violating the Act on the Punishment of Stalking Crimes, and other charges. The court also ordered him to complete a 40-hour stalking treatment program.
The court found all the charges proven. It said, "Without help from members of the public at the scene, the situation could have led to irreversible consequences, and it appears the crime would not have remained an attempt. He had a definite intent to kill the victim, and the method of the crime appears brutal. It appears he planned the crime and carried it out."
The court added, "Not only the victim but also her family, who witnessed the scene, suffered considerable psychological shock. The victim has not forgiven him, and her side is calling for severe punishment."
However, the court considered as sentencing factors that A admitted to the crime, is a juvenile, and has no prior criminal record.
A was indicted on charges of injuring a female high school student who had previously been in a relationship with him by wielding a weapon at her in a residential neighborhood in Hwagok-dong, Gangseo District, Seoul, on July 23.
Investigators found that A planned to kill the victim after hearing that she was dating another man.
The victim was injured in the abdomen and elsewhere and taken to the hospital, but her life was not in danger, according to reports.
Investigators found that, even after the victim asked him to stop contacting her before the crime, A continued to send her messages on Instagram and ChatGPT for Kakao and went as far as the front of her residence.
At the final hearing on the 29th of last month, the Prosecution Service (now the Public Prosecution Office) sought an indeterminate prison term of seven years (maximum) and four years (minimum) for A. It argued that the crime was serious because it violated the victim's right to life, and that she had suffered considerable psychological shock and was calling for severe punishment.
A's side admitted all the charges but pleaded for leniency, asking the court to consider his young age, the fact that he was a first-time offender, and the possibility of rehabilitation. In his final statement, A also said, "Even if the victim does not forgive me, I will try to live the rest of my life in remorse and atonement."
[email protected] Seong-hyun Park Reporter