"Schizophrenic Son Who Killed Father Saying 'Hospitalization Ruined My Life' Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison"

Gwangju District Court
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Bong-ju] A son who assaulted his father to death, harboring resentment over being forcibly admitted to a psychiatric hospital in the past, has been sentenced to prison.

The Gwangju District Court Criminal Division 12 (Chief Judge Noh Jae-ho) announced on the 14th that Moon Mo (43), who was tried on charges of killing a direct ascendant, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was also ordered to undergo treatment custody and wear an electronic tracking device for 10 years.

Moon was tried on charges of repeatedly striking his father (74) on the head with a sharp bicycle part and assaulting him to death at his home in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, on the afternoon of April 6. Moon had suffered from paranoid schizophrenia for the past 10 years.

Investigations revealed that Moon had previously assaulted his father and older brother, claiming that they forcibly admitted him to a psychiatric hospital despite his being healthy, preventing him from working properly, and did not share their mother's inheritance, ruining his life.

The court stated, "Moon killed his biological father who gave birth to him and cared for him closely even when other family members avoided him. This is an atrocious and antisocial crime that severs the bonds of filial piety and is far worse in nature than ordinary murder," adding, "The claim that the family confined him to a psychiatric hospital despite his being healthy is a delusion of Moon’s, and there is no circumstance to blame the father."

The court explained the sentencing rationale, saying, "However, considering that Moon had suffered from schizophrenia for a long time and lacked normal judgment ability, and that problematic behavior significantly decreased while receiving medication in the past, it cannot be said that simply increasing the sentence is the best way to severely punish Moon. Therefore, treatment custody and other orders are imposed."

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