"Choi Sin-jong, who brutally murdered two people 'because a woman ignored him,' sentenced to life imprisonment"

Court: "Cannot be forgiven for any reason... Must repent and reflect"

The identity of Choi Sin-jong (31), the suspect arrested on charges of murdering two women who went missing in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, and Busan, was revealed on August 20. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Choi Sinjong (31), who brutally murdered two women and denied the charges saying "I don't remember," was sentenced to life imprisonment.

The 12th Criminal Division of Jeonju District Court (Chief Judge Kim Yurang) sentenced Choi Sinjong to life imprisonment on the 5th in the first trial on charges including rape and robbery murder. Additionally, he was ordered a 10-year employment ban at child and youth-related institutions and welfare facilities for the disabled, 10 years of public disclosure of personal information, and attachment of an electronic tracking device for 30 years.

The court stated, "Human life is an absolute value that cannot be exchanged for anything, so murder crimes cannot be forgiven for any reason," and pointed out, "Nevertheless, the defendant has not repented for his crimes and has not taken any special actions to seek forgiveness from the victims and their families."

It continued, "There seem to be sufficient reasons to deprive the defendant of his own life, but when imposing a sentence that deprives a citizen of life, caution is necessary," and explained the sentencing reason, "It is appropriate to impose a life sentence that deprives freedom rather than life so that he can repent and reflect."

Earlier, the prosecution requested the death penalty at Choi Sinjong’s sentencing hearing, stating, "The defendant shows no remorse, and his attitude is bad as he killed, abandoned, sexually assaulted the victims, and took their money. There is a need to isolate him from society."

Choi Sinjong is accused of sexually assaulting A, a woman from Jeonju who was an acquaintance of his wife, on April 15, stealing 480,000 won, murdering her, and abandoning the body near a river.

He is also accused of murdering another woman B, whom he met through a mobile chat app, on April 19, and abandoning her body near an orchard in Wanju-gun, Jeonbuk. At the time of the crime, Choi Sinjong also stole cash and a mobile phone that B had.

During police investigation, Choi Sinjong reportedly said the reason for killing the victims was that "(the women) disrespected me." He testified about the situation, saying, "When I asked (A) to pay off her gambling debts, she scolded me."

Meanwhile, Choi Sinjong’s side admitted to the charges of murder and body abandonment in court but denied the sexual assault charges. Choi said, "I have a hazy memory because I was under the influence of antidepressants."

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