Former Speaker Yoo Seung-hyun Acquitted of Murder in Second Trial... Sentence Reduced from 15 to 7 Years

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] Yoo Seung-hyun, former chairman of the Gimpo City Council, who was indicted on charges of beating his wife to death and sentenced to a heavy sentence in the first trial, received a reduced sentence to half of the original sentence in the appeal trial.

The Criminal Division 1 of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judge Jun-young Jeong) overturned the original ruling on the charges of murder against former Chairman Yoo on the 3rd and sentenced him to 7 years in prison. Former Chairman Yoo was arrested and indicted on May 15 last year for allegedly beating his wife A with a golf club and fists at his home in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, while intoxicated, causing her death.

The first trial court recognized the murder charge, judging that Yoo had at least an indirect intent to kill, and sentenced him to 15 years in prison. However, the second trial court acquitted Yoo of the murder charge, stating, "It cannot be considered that the crime was proven beyond a reasonable doubt."

The court particularly stated regarding the golf club, which was identified as the weapon, that "it is difficult to conclude that it was a tool for murder." Based on the autopsy results and other evidence, it was considered that the head part was held while the stick part was used to strike the victim's lower body.

The court, which only recognized the charge of injury resulting in death against former Chairman Yoo, explained the sentencing reasons: "Although he forgave several instances of infidelity, he committed the crime after listening to recorded conversations in which the victim and her lover sexually demeaned him, and the children and the victim's mother do not wish for punishment."

However, the court added, "Domestic violence is unacceptable by society for any reason or motive, and the fact that the spouse died as a result of such domestic violence makes the blameworthiness significant."

After the sentence was announced, former Chairman Yoo burst into tears and bowed several times toward the court. Yoo’s daughter, sitting in the gallery, sobbed while calling "Dad." Several other spectators also shed tears at the father and daughter's crying.

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