'Hangang Body Corpse Case' Jang Dae-ho, No Letter of Reflection for 6 Months

Tomorrow Morning Appeal Trial Deliberation Hearing

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Jo] It was confirmed on the 18th that Jang Dae-ho (39), the defendant in the 'Hangang Torso Murder Case,' has never submitted a letter of remorse to the court. Until now, Jang has shown an unrepentant attitude, even making abusive remarks toward the deceased victim instead of apologizing to the bereaved families.

According to the court on this day, Jang has not submitted any letter of remorse during the six months since he was arrested and indicted last September on charges of murdering a motel guest and mutilating the body. Typically, defendants in violent crime cases write and submit letters of remorse to the court while detained in jail, often to receive a reduced sentence. Legal circles both inside and outside consider Jang’s decision highly unusual.

The submission of a letter of remorse is an important factor in determining the severity of the sentence. If the court judges that "the defendant is remorseful" as a sign that the likelihood of reoffending is low, the sentence tends to be lighter. For this reason, many defendants strategically write letters of remorse when it is difficult to receive a not guilty verdict.

Lee Young-hak (38), the 'Tooth Father' who lured, sexually assaulted, and murdered his daughter’s friend, is a case that benefited from letters of remorse. He submitted a total of 43 letters of remorse and was sentenced to death in the first trial but had his sentence reduced to life imprisonment on appeal. Seo Jin-hwan (49), the perpetrator of the 'Junggok-dong Housewife Murder Case,' also submitted a letter of remorse after being sentenced to death in the first trial, which led to a reduction to life imprisonment in the appellate court.

Meanwhile, Jang’s side appealed in the appellate trial, arguing that the life sentence imposed in the first trial was excessive, but did not express remorse or apologize to the bereaved families. The prosecution maintains its position that Jang should be sentenced to death. The appellate trial’s final hearing for Jang will be held on the morning of the 19th at the Seoul High Court Criminal Division 3 (Presiding Judge Bae Jun-hyun). The prosecution will present its sentencing recommendation, and Jang will make his final statement.

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