Prosecutors have sent to trial, in detention, a suspect identified as Kim Hun in the so-called "Namyangju stalking murder case."
The Namyangju branch of the Uijeongbu District Prosecutors' Office said on the 8th that it indicted Kim under detention on charges including violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (retaliatory murder, etc.).
Kim Hun is accused of tracking down the victim at the victim's workplace using a GPS device attached to the victim's car on the 14th of last month and killing the victim.
Prosecutors said they believe Kim committed the crime as retaliation after it appeared that in February the victim had filed a complaint against Kim for stalking and other offenses and was expected to give unfavorable testimony in an injury case pending in the first trial. Kim was standing the first trial on charges of inflicting an injury requiring four weeks of treatment on the victim, who had asked to end the relationship in May last year.
According to prosecutors, Kim had been preparing for the crime for more than 10 days. Kim allegedly purchased the tools in advance, checked the crime scene, and even added extra tinting to a rental car and attached temporary license plates as concealment measures.
A comprehensive psychological analysis by the Supreme Prosecutors' Office showed Kim scored 33 out of 40 on the psychopathy rating scale. In the test, a score above 25 is generally classified as psychopathic.
Prosecutors also moved to protect and support victims by working with related agencies, including police, the Namyangju branch office, the Crime Victim Support Center, and the Namyangju City Family Center, to provide treatment and financial support for the bereaved and witnesses. Prosecutors said, "We will do our best so that a heavy sentence commensurate with the crime is handed down to the defendant during the upcoming trial, and we will take steps to ensure the bereaved family's right to make statements is guaranteed."