Kim Sung-ho, 43, who stabbed and killed a shop owner with a weapon at a jewelry shop in Bucheon, Gyeonggi, and fled after stealing cash and valuables, was sentenced to life in prison.
The Criminal Division 1 of the Bucheon Branch of the Incheon District Court (Presiding Judge Na Sang-hun) on the 25th sentenced Kim Sung-ho, who was arrested and indicted on charges of robbery-murder and preparing for robbery, to life in prison at a sentencing hearing.
The court said, "This crime is a grave offense that deprived the highest value of human life," and added, "Among such crimes, robbery-murder is an offense that infringes on a person's life for the purpose of financial gain, and the law provides only the death penalty or life imprisonment as punishment."
It continued, "The defendant meticulously planned the crime, and even considering the circumstances after the crime, the blameworthiness is extremely high," and explained the reasons for sentencing: "Although it is favorable that the defendant admitted to all the crimes and has no record beyond fines, given the seriousness and brutality of the offense, stern punishment is necessary."
Earlier, at the closing arguments on the 11th, prosecutors sought life in prison for Kim Sung-ho, calling it "a gruesome crime that defied humanity."
Around 12 p.m. on Jan. 15, Kim Sung-ho is accused of killing a female shop owner in her 50s at a jewelry shop in Wonmi-gu, Bucheon, and fleeing after stealing jewelry worth 20 million won and 2 million won in cash. It was confirmed that the day before the crime, he had already scouted targets by visiting jewelry shops in Seoul and Incheon. Immediately after the crime, he changed into a suit he had prepared in advance and switched taxis multiple times to flee.
On Jan. 20, the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency disclosed Kim Sung-ho's personal information through the identity disclosure review committee to prevent the recurrence of similar crimes against jewelry shops and to raise public awareness.