Prosecutors on the 12th sought the death penalty for Kim Dong-Won (42), who is accused of killing three people, including executives at a franchisor headquarters, while running a franchise pizza shop in Gwanak District, Seoul.
At the sentencing hearing for murder charges against Kim Dong-Won held the same day at the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Agreement Division 34 (Presiding Judge Han Seong-jin), prosecutors asked the court to impose the death penalty. They also requested 30 years of electronic monitoring and five years of probation.
Regarding the store interior defects that Kim Dong-Won claims were the motive for the crime, prosecutors noted, "The defects the defendant complained about amounted only to minor leaks and were not at a level to provoke anger to the point of killing someone."
They continued, "It is hard to imagine the victims' pain and fear," and added, "Two harmonious families have been shattered, and the victims lost their lives, causing irreparable harm. Severe punishment is necessary," explaining the sentencing request.
An attorney for Kim Dong-Won said, "The defendant's actions are inexcusable," but added, "Please consider that the defendant was under severe stress and was thinking of ending his own life, and that there was no chance to attempt a settlement from the victims' perspective. The defendant is also willing to deposit all of his assets with the court."
In his final statement, Kim Dong-Won bowed his head and said, "I have caused great pain to the victims' families," and added, "I will live the rest of my life atoning, thinking of the bereaved families who will live with deep wounds and the family members who supported me."
Kim Dong-Won is accused of stabbing to death with a weapon one executive from the franchisor headquarters in charge of franchise contract execution and two people from the company responsible for interior construction on Sept. 3 last year at his pizza shop in Jowon-dong, Gwanak District, Seoul.