Saetjong, Who Suddenly Retracted His Statement, Denies Robbery and Rape Charges

Two Women Raped, Murdered, and Bodies Abandoned in Jeonju and Busan
Murder and Body Abandonment Confirmed... Jury Trial Refused

The personal information of Choi Sin-jong (31), a suspect arrested on charges of murdering two women who went missing in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, and Busan, was released on the 20th of last month. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] Choi Sinjong (31), who was indicted for murdering two women who went missing in Jeonju, Jeonbuk, and Busan and disposing of their bodies, denied charges of robbery and rape at his first trial. He also expressed his refusal to have a jury trial.

Although Choi Sinjong was known to have admitted all charges during the previous prosecution investigation, he reversed his statements at the trial.

At the trial held on the 18th at the Jeonju District Court, 12th Criminal Division (Presiding Judge Kim Yurang), the prosecution stated, "Choi Sinjong, who operated a delivery agency business and got involved in gambling, incurred a debt of about 80 million won, and committed the crime to rob money and valuables from the victim, who was an acquaintance of his spouse, and to sexually assault her."

However, Choi Sinjong’s defense denied the charges of robbery and rape. The defense attorney explained, "He admits to the charges of murder and disposing of the body, but does not admit to robbery and rape."

The attorney said, "The defendant states that the sexual intercourse related to the rape charge was consensual, and that the gold bracelet and 480,000 won were borrowed."

When asked by the court whether he wished for a jury trial, Choi Sinjong replied, "I do not want it."

During the trial, after the prosecution and defense submitted evidence, the schedule for witness examination and other proceedings was set, and the session concluded.

The prosecution requested, "We are currently investigating another case involving Choi Sinjong. Since additional charges are expected soon, we ask for some time until the next trial."

The next trial is scheduled for July 14 at 2 p.m.

The identity of Choi Sin-jong (31), a suspect arrested on charges of murdering two women who went missing in Jeonju, Jeonbuk, and Busan, was revealed on the 20th of last month.
Photo by Yonhap News

Choi Sinjong was indicted on charges of kidnapping A, an acquaintance of his wife, in his car on the afternoon of April 14, taking her under a bridge, sexually assaulting her, robbing one gold bracelet and 480,000 won, and strangling her to death.

He is also charged with dumping A’s body near Bangsu-ri, Gwanchon-myeon, Imsil-gun, Jeonbuk, around 6:30 p.m. on the same day.

Meanwhile, the prosecution is currently investigating Choi Sinjong regarding the murder case of a missing woman in Busan.

Choi Sinjong is also accused of killing B, whom he met through a random chat application on the afternoon of April 18, using a similar method, and disposing of the body in an orchard in Wanju-gun, Jeonbuk.

It has been confirmed that during the crime, Choi Sinjong stole cash and a mobile phone that B had.

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