Kim, Accused of Murdering a Girl in Gumi, Pleads Guilty at First Trial

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] Kim Mo (22), who is accused of leaving a 3-year-old girl from Gumi in an empty house, resulting in her death, admitted all charges in the first trial.

The Daegu District Court Gimcheon Branch Criminal Division (Chief Judge Lee Yoon-ho) held the first hearing on the 9th for Kim, who was indicted on charges including murder and violation of the Child Welfare Act.

Kim admitted the prosecution's allegations that despite foreseeing the child would die without food, she left the girl alone in a villa in August last year, causing her death from starvation and other causes. She also admitted receiving child allowance and childcare allowance from September until January this year, even after the child had died.

Kim informed the court that she does not wish for a jury trial. When the court asked Kim's lawyer if there was any evidence to submit, the lawyer said, "We will submit petitions from family members." The prosecution requested that Kim be fitted with an electronic bracelet, and the court stated it would review whether this is necessary.

The next trial is scheduled to continue on May 7.

Earlier, Kim was arrested on the 12th of last month on charges of leaving the child in an empty house during a move in early August last year, resulting in her death. The deceased girl was believed to be Kim's daughter, but a DNA test confirmed that Seok Mo (48), who was considered the maternal grandmother, is the biological mother.

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