Yun Dong-il, who had been accused as a suspect in the ninth case of the "Lee Chun-jae serial killings" that occurred in the Hwaseong area of Gyeonggi Province, was acquitted in a retrial. His name was cleared 33 years after the conviction was finalized.
On the 30th, the 15th Criminal Division of the Suwon District Court (Presiding Judge Jeong Yun-seop) acquitted Yun. The bench said, "Given the circumstances suggesting illegal detention and coercive investigation, the defendant's confession to police is not credible," adding, "Each piece of evidence lacks admissibility, and there is no evidence to prove the indictment, so this falls under a case where the facts of the crime are not proven, and the defendant is acquitted."
At the end of the sentencing, the bench also said, "We hope the defendant, who has passed away, will have his honor restored." Earlier, at the final hearing on the 9th of last month, prosecutors likewise sought acquittal for Yun and bowed their heads, saying, "We apologize to the defendant and his family, who likely suffered for a long time."
At the time Yun was booked on charges of aggravated indecent assault causing injury, he had been accused as a suspect in the ninth case of the Lee Chun-jae serial killings. Fortunately, bodily fluid found on the school uniform of the ninth victim did not match Yun's blood analysis, clearing him of the murder charge.
However, Yun's side maintains that the charge of aggravated indecent assault causing injury was also fabricated by the investigative authorities to indict him. Because of this case, Yun spent months in prison and, after being released with a suspended sentence, was diagnosed with cancer. He died in 1997 at age 26.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission said in Dec. 2022 that during the police investigation into the "Lee Chun-jae serial killings," there were improper exercises of public authority and probes into alleged cover-ups, stating that "there were widespread human rights violations against many suspects." In response, the court granted a retrial in July last year.
Yun's older brother, Yun Dong-gi, attended the hearing that day. After the sentencing, he told reporters, "I felt like I was going to cry, but I held it back," and said, "Since an acquittal was handed down today, I think my younger brother will feel at ease with a clear conscience." In 2023, Yun Dong-gi filed a 530 million won damages suit against the state with the Seoul Central District Court.
Also present was Yun Seong-yeo, who had been accused as the suspect in the eighth case of the Lee Chun-jae serial killings and wrongfully served 20 years in prison before being acquitted in 2020, 32 years later. Yun Seong-yeo also presented a bouquet to Yun Dong-gi. "The person who passed away was a junior from my neighborhood," Yun Seong-yeo said. "I think he will be happy in heaven."