According to Yonhap News Agency on the 30th, the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors Office’s Criminal Division 2, led by Chief Prosecutor Kim Ga-ram, additionally indicted Kim on charges of aggravated injury and violating the Narcotics Control Act.
Kim was previously arrested and indicted on March 10 on allegations that from mid-December last year through February this year she gave drug-laced drinks to three men in their 20s, killing two and leaving one unconscious.
During the investigation, police said they found indications that Kim used the same method — offering a “drugged drink” — to injure three other men. The additional cases were sent to prosecutors on March 19, and prosecutors decided to bring the new indictment after further investigation.
At the first trial on April 9 before the Seoul Northern District Court’s Criminal Division 14, presided over by Judge Oh Byeong-hee, Kim’s side said, “She admits giving the victims drinks, but denies the charges of aggravated injury and murder.” The defense argued the purpose was to make the victims fall asleep, not to kill them.
The court said intent must be judged from the circumstances and demanded a detailed explanation of how Kim met the victims and how the alleged crimes unfolded. The court also told prosecutors to prove, based on the charges for each victim, how intent to kill was formed.
The hearing ended in about 10 minutes after confirming both sides’ basic positions. Kim appeared in a green detention uniform and a white mask and said she did not want a jury trial. The gallery filled before proceedings began, and some bereaved family members strongly objected, calling for the maximum sentence.
The next hearing is scheduled for May 7 at 3:30 p.m.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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