Kim Sung-woo referred to prosecutors over alleged killing and kidnapping in Seoul
South Korean police recommended charges including retaliatory murder after the death of Kim's mother-in-law and the alleged kidnapping of his wife. Investigators are examining a possible retaliatory motive, which Kim disputes.
South Korean police referred Kim Sung-woo, 26, to prosecutors on 20 October over the alleged killing of his mother-in-law and kidnapping of his wife in Seoul, Yonhap News Agency reported. Police recommended charges including retaliatory murder and confinement, but Kim has denied planning the killing in advance.
The Seoul Songpa Police Station alleges that Kim stabbed his mother-in-law at her home in southern Seoul on 11 October and took his wife, who had been staying there. Police said he assaulted her face while she was confined in his vehicle. Officers rescued her and arrested Kim in Yangyang County, about 150 kilometres east of Seoul, hours after the alleged killing, according to Yonhap.
Charges recommended after the Seoul attack
The police station recommended charges of retaliatory murder, retaliatory confinement, aggravated assault and violations of laws on stalking and domestic violence, Yonhap reported. The referral sends the police case to prosecutors; those allegations have not been established in court. The Korea Herald had reported that police planned to send Kim to the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office on Tuesday morning.
Investigators are considering whether Kim planned the attack in retaliation for his wife's attempt to annul their marriage, according to Yonhap. Kim told investigators that the killing was not premeditated and that he had wanted to talk to his wife, police said. His account disputes the investigators' theory of a planned attack.
Earlier abuse reports and protective measures
Kim's wife applied for divorce mediation in August, then withdrew that application to seek an annulment, Yonhap reported. Police said Kim waited near his in-laws' home and stalked her on 18 occasions from 16 September to 11 October. Those allegations form part of the police account behind the recommended stalking charge.
The Korea Herald reported that she had previously reported abuse to police. Temporary protective measures, including a restraining order, had expired by the time of the alleged attack, while a request to renew them was being processed, the newspaper reported. That timing has raised questions about protection for people reporting domestic violence.
A court issued a warrant for Kim's arrest on 13 October, allowing police to keep him in custody, The Korea Herald reported. Police publicly identified him after a review committee found that the legal criteria for disclosure were met. The committee cited the seriousness of the alleged crime and harm, the public's right to know and the need to prevent further offences. His name, age and photographs are due to remain on the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's website through 17 November.
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Sources and context
- Man sent to prosecutors for allegedly murdering mother-in-law, kidnapping wifeYonhap News Agency
- Police identify suspect in killing of mother-in-law, kidnapping of wifeThe Korea Herald
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.