Prosecutors asked the court to sentence Kim So-young, who was indicted and detained on charges including killing two people with drug-laced drinks, to death.
On the 18th, according to legal sources, at the sentencing hearing for defendant Kim So-young in the "Gangbuk motel serial murder case," held before the Seoul Northern District Court Criminal Division 14 (Presiding Judge Oh Byung-hee, senior judge), prosecutors sought the death penalty. They also requested, among other measures, a 30-year electronic monitoring order.
Prosecutors said, "Considering that (Kim So-young) killed two people and injured four, making the crimes very grave, and that the victims who showed interest in her were deprived of their lives while off guard, the offenses are especially egregious."
The victims' families also held a press conference before the hearing that day, pleading for a death sentence. One victim's family member said, "With a prior fraud conviction and repeated thefts, Kim So-young is someone who felled six men and even took lives—someone who must not be released into society," adding, "There is no remorse and no ability to empathize."
Attorney Nam Eon-ho of Law Office Vincent, representing the victims, also said, "(Kim So-young) is a serial killer who emerged in an era when serial killings are practically impossible," and added, "We ask prosecutors to seek the maximum sentence allowed by law, the death penalty."
Through written opinions and other submissions, Kim So-young had argued that she committed the crimes because she was at risk of being sexually molested by men, but at her final statement that day, she offered a belated apology.
Kim So-young said, "I will not forget my wrongful actions toward the deceased 'oppa' (victims), and I will live apologizing and reflecting," adding, "I am sorry for causing the bereaved families an indelible wound."
Kim So-young was indicted and detained on charges of handing drinks containing benzodiazepine drugs to three men from December last year to February this year, killing two and causing one to lose consciousness. She was additionally indicted in April on charges of injuring three other men using a similar method.