A man in his 50s suspected of killing a woman in her 50s at an officetel in Gangbuk District, Seoul, has been handed over to prosecutors. Police determined the crime targeted the victim's money and valuables, and changed the charge from murder to robbery and murder.
The Seoul Gangbuk Police Station on the 7th sent a man in his 50s, a person surnamed Na, to the prosecution under arrest on charges of robbery and murder, violating the Narcotics Control Act, trespassing, and violating the Act on the Safety Management of Firearms, Swords, and Explosives.
Na is accused of fatally attacking with a weapon a woman in her 50s whom he knew, at an officetel in Suyu-dong, Gangbuk District, Seoul, on the 28th of last month.
Police analyzed financial account transaction histories, movements before and after the crime, and seized items, and concluded there was an intent to take the victim's money and valuables, changing the charge to robbery and murder. Na is reported to deny this.
A substance suspected to be narcotics was also found at the crime scene. A rapid reagent test on Na and an urgent analysis by the National Forensic Service detected components of marijuana and methamphetamine. The detailed analysis results have not yet come out.
After the crime, police confirmed that Na reentered the victim's residence and also applied a trespassing charge. The weapon used in the crime was found to have been possessed without a permit, leading to an additional charge of violating the Firearms and Explosives Control Act.
During the investigation, police also confirmed that Na had 15 prior sex crime convictions against children and adolescents under 13 and had been ordered to wear an electronic location-tracking device.
Police said they considered applying the charge of rape and murder, but there is no indication of a sex crime so far. Police said, "Even after the transfer, we plan to continue necessary supplemental investigations in cooperation with prosecutors."