South Korean Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for Gwangju Student Murder Suspect

Prosecutors Demand Death Penalty

Prosecutors on Monday sought the death penalty for a man accused of murdering a female high school student in the southwestern city of Gwangju in May, citing a high risk of repeat offenses. [1] The Gwangju District Prosecutors Office demanded the sentence during the trial of 23-year-old Jang Yoon-gi, who was charged with killing 16-year-old Lee Chae-won on a street in Gwangju on May 5 after trying to rape her. [1] This demand reflects the prosecution's assessment during the ongoing proceedings. [2]

Details of the Murder Charge

Jang was also charged with attempting to kill a 17-year-old male student who had rushed to the scene to help the victim, raping a Vietnamese woman two days earlier and illegally filming a teenage girl's body in the past. [1] The core allegation centers on the events of May 5 involving the 16-year-old victim on a street in Gwangju. [3]

Additional Criminal Charges

The charges extend beyond the primary murder count to include the attempt on the intervening student's life as well as the earlier rape of the Vietnamese woman and the illegal filming incident. [1] These additional accusations form part of the same trial process in Gwangju. [4]

Risk of Recidivism Cited

"He poses a high risk of recidivism, including murder and sexual assault, in the event he returns to society," the prosecution said. [1] The office emphasized this assessment as a key factor in requesting the death penalty. [5]

Defendant's Court Statement

Jang apologized to the victims in his final statement, saying he will pay for his crimes for the rest of his life. [1] His remarks came at the conclusion of the trial phase before sentencing. [2]

Next Steps in the Case

The sentencing hearing is scheduled to be held Sept. 30. [1] This date marks the next formal step in the judicial process for the accused. [3]

What to watch next is the sentencing hearing scheduled for Sept. 30, which will determine the final outcome based on the charges presented.