Car Seized, Female Driver Kidnapped in 7-Hour Hostage Situation... Court Sentences to 9 Years Imprisonment

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] A man in his 30s of Chinese nationality who hijacked a female driver's car in broad daylight and held a hostage situation has been sentenced to a heavy prison term.

The Criminal Division 11 of the Seoul Eastern District Court (Presiding Judge Son Joo-chul) announced on the 16th that it sentenced Park Mo (30), a Chinese national who hijacked a female driver's car and held a hostage situation for 7 hours, to 9 years in prison.

Park was arrested and indicted on charges of kidnapping a woman, A (30), who was driving a passenger car out of an underground parking lot in Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the morning of August 13, seizing her car, and driving around with her for about 7 hours while demanding ransom from her family.

While being chased by the police who had been dispatched, Park attempted to escape by ramming into five police cars, and after getting out of the car, he threatened the victim with a weapon and resisted the police.

The court stated, "The nature of the crime is very serious, and the fact that the incident was committed in a planned manner increases the blameworthiness. However, the defendant's remorse and the relatively minor injuries sustained by the victim are considered mitigating factors in sentencing."

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