On the 15th, the prosecution sought the death penalty for Kim Seong-jin, who is accused of fatally stabbing a woman in her 60s.
During the sentencing trial for Mr. Kim, held by the 13th Criminal Division of the Seoul Northern District Court (presided over by Director General Na Sang-hoon), the prosecution requested that the court impose the maximum possible sentence.
On April 22, Kim Seong-jin allegedly tore open the packaging of a knife displayed in a mart in Mia-dong, Gangbuk District, Seoul, and stabbed an employee and a passerby. As a result, a woman in her 60s died, leading to murder charges against him. It is reported that he did not know the victims.
According to the prosecution, Kim Seong-jin was hospitalized with a fracture in his right finger after falling while walking in a drunken state. He committed the crime to kill someone and go to prison due to noise and conflicts with his family while in the hospital.
He entered the mart dressed in a hospital gown, took out the displayed knife, faced the closed-circuit television (CCTV) with his left hand in an 'OK' gesture, and then consumed alcohol before committing the crime.
According to the police, after the crime, Kim Seong-jin hid the knife between piles of snacks displayed in the mart, moved to a nearby alley to smoke, and reported the incident to 112. Police investigations revealed that Kim Seong-jin exhibited psychopathic traits.