Kim Seong-woo, 26, has been identified as the suspect in the murder of his mother-in-law and the kidnapping of his wife in Songpa District, Seoul. Police are investigating whether the crime was premeditated or retaliatory, based on evidence that he waited nearby with a weapon before the incident.
On October 19, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency held a meeting of the Personal Information Disclosure Review Committee, deciding to release Kim's name, age, and mugshot. This information will be posted on the police agency's website from 6 PM on the same day until November 18.
The committee determined that the victim's situation was severe, the means of the crime was brutal, and there was sufficient evidence to support the charges. They also considered the public interest in preventing further crimes and the need for disclosure.
Kim is accused of stabbing his mother-in-law in her 50s at her home in Munjeong-dong at 5:38 AM on October 11, before abducting his wife, who is in her 20s, in a vehicle. The mother-in-law was transported to the hospital in cardiac arrest but later died.
After fleeing with his wife, Kim was apprehended by police later that day in a mountainous area in Yangyang County, Gangwon Province. The Seoul Eastern District Court issued a warrant for his arrest on October 13, citing concerns over flight risk and evidence tampering.
During police questioning, Kim reportedly acknowledged most of the charges but claimed the act was impulsive. He stated that he acted out of anger when his wife, who was in the process of divorce, indicated she would file for marriage nullification, asserting he had not planned to kill his mother-in-law.
However, police are focusing on evidence that Kim waited with a weapon for about four hours near the crime scene. They are examining statements from the wife’s side to determine the premeditated and retaliatory nature of the crime.
Prior to this incident, Kim was under investigation for domestic violence. His wife had been living separately and was preparing to file for marriage nullification.
The victim's family claims that the crime was a retaliation for reporting domestic violence and pursuing the marriage nullification lawsuit. They have criticized the police for inadequate protective measures and have called for the disclosure of Kim's personal information.
The Songpa Police Station is expected to transfer Kim to the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office on the morning of October 20.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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