Latest Jongjong, sentenced to life imprisonment for killing and abandoning two women, appeals against sentence severity

Prosecution Also Submits Appeal on the 10th

Choi Sejong, whose identity was revealed after murdering two women and disposing of their bodies. Photo by Jeonbuk Police Agency.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] Choi Sin-jong (31), who was arrested and indicted on charges of murdering two women in Jeonju, Jeonbuk, and Busan and disposing of their bodies, has appealed the original court ruling that sentenced him to 'life imprisonment.'

According to the Jeonju District Court on the 12th, Choi Sin-jong submitted an appeal to the court on the same day, claiming that "the sentencing is unfair."

The prosecution also appealed on the 10th, citing unfair sentencing. During the first trial's closing arguments, the prosecution requested the court to sentence Choi Sin-jong to the death penalty, citing the possibility of reoffending.

Earlier, Choi Sin-jong is accused of, on the night of April 15, taking A (34, female), a friend of his wife, into his car, driving her under a bridge, sexually assaulting her, stealing one gold bracelet and 480,000 won, and strangling her to death.

Choi Sin-jong is also charged with disposing of A's body near Bangsu-ri, Gwanchon-myeon, Imsil-gun, around 6:30 p.m. on the same day.

Additionally, Choi Sin-jong is accused of parking his car in front of a gas station in Daeseong-dong, Jeonju, around 1 a.m. on April 19, four days after the first crime, and murdering B (29, female) inside the car.

He is reported to have stolen 150,000 won from B and disposed of her body in an orchard in Sang-gwan-myeon, Wanju-gun.

B had come up from Busan to Jeonju to meet Choi Sin-jong, whom she met through a mobile chat app. B got into Choi Sin-jong's car near the Seoseohak-dong Community Center in Wansan-gu, Jeonju, and was later found dead after going missing.

Choi Sin-jong admitted to the charges of murder and body disposal but denied robbery and sexual assault charges. He claimed, "I was taking my wife's antidepressants, so I do not clearly remember the circumstances of the crime."

In his final statement, Choi Sin-jong said, "I am not asking for leniency," adding, "I will accept any punishment, whether life imprisonment or the death penalty, but I absolutely cannot accept charges for crimes I did not commit."

However, the first trial court found all charges against Choi Sin-jong guilty and sentenced him to life imprisonment, stating, "It is appropriate to impose the severest punishment to permanently isolate the defendant from society. He needs time to repent deeply for the precious lives lost and for the victims' families."

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