The perpetrator of the 'Gangnam officetel mother-daughter murder' case, Park Hak-seon (66), who stabbed and killed his ex-girlfriend and her daughter with a deadly weapon, was sentenced to life imprisonment in the second trial, just like in the first trial.
The Seoul High Court's Criminal Division 5 (headed by Director General Kwon Soon-hyung) upheld the first trial ruling on the 3rd during the sentencing hearing of Park Hak-seon's appeal on murder charges, stating, "We dismiss the appeals from both Park and the prosecution," maintaining the life imprisonment sentence. Previously, the first trial had sentenced Park Hak-seon to life imprisonment. The prosecution had sought the death penalty in both the first and second trials.
The court noted that "considering various sentencing factors such as Park Hak-seon's age, health, occupation, family relationships, environment, the motive and circumstances leading to the crime, the means and consequences of the crime, and the circumstances following the crime, there is sufficient necessity to impose a severe punishment on Park Hak-seon."
However, the court stated, "It is difficult to conclude that there are special circumstances that justify the death penalty for Park Hak-seon to the extent that it leaves no room for doubt," adding, "Ultimately, it cannot be said that the sentence in the first trial for Park Hak-seon was too light or heavy to be unjust."
Park Hak-seon was arrested and charged with murdering a woman in her 60s, identified as A, and her daughter in her 30s, identified as B, with a deadly weapon at an officetel near Seolleung Station in Gangnam, Seoul, on May 30th last year. He fled after the crime but was caught by the police after 13 hours. According to the prosecution, Park Hak-seon went to the officetel where A and B worked to confirm with B after A suggested breaking up due to family opposition on the day of the crime. The police, considering the brutality of the crime and the severity of the victims' suffering, publicly revealed Park Hak-seon's real name, age, and photo on June 4th.
The first trial found Park Hak-seon guilty of murder and sentenced him to life imprisonment. The court did not accept Park Hak-seon's claim of an impulsive act. The first trial court stated, "It is reasonable to permanently isolate him from society to deprive him of his freedom, allow him to repent for his wrongdoing, seek atonement from the victims, and serve time for the rest of his life."
Both Park Hak-seon and the prosecution appealed the first trial verdict, but the second trial did not accept the appeals.