60s Partner Who Assaulted and Killed After Overturning Hwatu Table Sentenced to 18 Years in Second Trial

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] A man in his 60s who was prosecuted for brutally beating a business partner to death after overturning a card game table during a quarrel has been sentenced to a heavy prison term again in the appellate court.

The Seoul High Court Criminal Division 7 (Presiding Judge Seong Suje) on the afternoon of the 27th sentenced Kim (63), who was charged with murder, to 18 years in prison, the same as the original trial.

The court stated, "Considering all the facts, including the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage capturing the crime scene, there was intent to kill, even if momentary. The defendant claimed he was intoxicated and in a diminished mental state at the time of the crime, but this will not be accepted."

The court added, "The defendant’s remorse and the fact that the crime was committed impulsively are mitigating factors, but human life is a precious existence that cannot be replaced by anything else. Even considering various circumstances, the original court’s judgment does not appear to exceed the reasonable discretionary range."

Earlier, on July 26 last year, around 2 p.m., Mr. A played a card game called 'Go-Stop' with three others, including his business partner Mr. A (66), at an office in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, betting on the meal cost. During the game, a dispute arose, and Mr. A swore, overturned the card table, and left for home.

At around 10:30 p.m. the same day, Kim called Mr. A and argued about the incident that happened during the card game earlier that day. Afterwards, Kim, accompanied by an acquaintance, went to Mr. A’s house to confront him. Mr. A came out wielding a weapon and punched Kim in the face.

Enraged, Kim repeatedly struck Mr. A’s face and other parts, tripped him, and kicked him multiple times. Despite Mr. A losing consciousness, vomiting blood, and an acquaintance trying to stop him, Kim continued mercilessly stomping on Mr. A’s face and chest with his shoes for about 10 minutes.

Mr. A died on the spot, and Kim was arrested, detained, and prosecuted. During the investigation and trial, Kim claimed, "The assault was excessive, but there was no intent to kill."

However, the first trial court did not accept this. On December last year, the first trial sentenced Kim to 18 years in prison, stating, "The defendant kicked and stomped on the victim who had fallen unconscious and was bleeding, killing him. The method of the crime was extremely brutal and cruel."

Kim appealed, arguing that the sentence in the first trial was too harsh.

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