'Gang Assault at Gwangjin-gu Club' Three Men in Their 20s Say "No Intent to Murder"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] Three men in their 20s, who were indicted for collectively assaulting a man in his 20s at a club in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, leading to his death, all denied the murder charges at their first trial.

The first preparatory hearing for the trial of Kim (21), Lee (21), and Oh (21), who were arrested and indicted on murder charges, was held on the 13th at the Seoul Eastern District Court Criminal Division 12 (Presiding Judge Min Cheol-gi).

The prosecution applied murder charges as the principal accusation and applied charges of injury resulting in death as a subsidiary accusation. The prosecution stated, "At the club, they pulled the victim's girlfriend's wrist saying 'let's hang out together,' which led to an argument with the victim and a physical fight. Despite being skilled martial artists with certified 4th dan black belts in Taekwondo, they conspired to assault the victim, which resulted in his death."

In response, Kim's defense attorney said, "First, we sincerely apologize to the victim's family who have suffered an irreparable wound," and added, "There was no intent to murder, and we acknowledge the charge of injury resulting in death."

Oh's defense attorney also stated, "There was no motive for murder, nor was there time to form such intent," and "There was no implied intent regarding the murder charge." Lee's defense attorney similarly said, "There is no fact that he struck the face with his knee," and "We acknowledge the charge of injury resulting in death but cannot accept the murder charge."

The court accepted the application to summon two eyewitnesses as witnesses. The court decided to conduct witness examinations at the second trial on the 30th of next month.

They are accused of assaulting the victim after an argument at a club in Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, in the early hours of the 1st of last month, which ultimately led to the victim's death.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.