Apartment Resident Accused of Assaulting Security Guard Denies Charges in Trial: "No Confinement or Retaliation"

An apartment security guard in Ui-dong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, who took his own life claiming to be 'unfairly treated,' was found on the 11th inside the security office of the apartment./Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] Shim Mo (49), a resident indicted for assaulting the late apartment security guard Choi Hee-seok in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, denied some of the charges in court, stating, "I did not assault or detain him with the intent of retaliation."

At the trial held on the 11th at the Seoul Northern District Court Criminal Division 13 (Presiding Judge Heo Kyung-ho), Shim's defense attorney stated, "It is true that there was an argument with the deceased, but there was no injury inflicted with the intent of retaliation, nor did he block the bathroom entrance to prevent the deceased from escaping," adding, "He did not repeatedly hit the deceased's nose or take off his hat to rub the nose injury," denying part of the indictment.

Previously, the prosecution charged Shim with seven counts, including retaliatory detention and assault under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (Special Act), as well as false accusation, attempted coercion, threats, and injury. Shim denies the charges related to the Special Act.

Shim submitted a letter of remorse to the court, appealing, "The CCTV footage of the assault broadcasted in the media is an edited version. When the original video is enlarged, it can be confirmed that there was no punching of the deceased's nose or pressing that caused a nasal bone fracture," expressing his grievance.

In response, the court plans to play and review the original CCTV footage submitted as evidence during the trial.

It is known that Shim has consistently denied the crime since the police investigation. However, after being indicted, he submitted letters of remorse and appeals to the court four times.

Shim is accused of repeatedly assaulting and threatening Choi after an argument over parking at an apartment in Ui-dong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, where he lives, on April 21 of this year. Choi left a will stating he had been assaulted and threatened by Shim before taking his own life on May 10.

The court plans to examine witnesses including two apartment representatives who testified that they heard about the assault from the apartment management office manager and the deceased, as well as the deceased’s elder brother. The next hearing is scheduled for October 30.

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