'Two Children Murdered' Wonju Samnam Children Case... Final Conclusion Today

[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] The Supreme Court is set to deliver its final verdict on the so-called 'Wonju Three Siblings Case,' involving a couple in their 20s accused of causing the deaths of their two children, both under one year old. The couple was acquitted in the first trial but received heavy sentences in the second trial.

According to the legal community on the 7th, the Supreme Court will announce its ruling this afternoon on Hwang Mo (27), who was charged with murder, and his wife Kwak Mo (25), who was charged with child abuse resulting in death.

In September 2016, Hwang was accused of causing the death of his second daughter, who was five months old, by leaving her covered with a thick blanket in a motel room in Wonju, Gangwon Province. In June 2019, he was also charged with causing the death of his third son, who was nine months old, by pressing his thumb on the child's neck for several tens of seconds. Kwak is accused of knowing about her husband's actions but failing to stop him.

The first trial court acquitted Hwang of the murder charges and sentenced Kwak to one year in prison with a two-year probation for child abuse resulting in death and other charges.

However, the second trial court sentenced Hwang to 23 years in prison and Kwak to six years in prison, ordering their detention in court. The second trial court focused on Hwang's confession during the prosecution investigation. Hwang initially denied the charges but later stated to the prosecution, "When my second daughter started crying, I covered her with a blanket, and the crying became quieter." He also submitted a letter of remorse stating, "I feel relieved after confessing."

Meanwhile, the court recently ruled to terminate the parental rights of the couple over their only surviving child, the eldest son. The prosecution determined that the parents could no longer exercise parental rights due to serious reasons, including child abuse and the murder of two children, and filed for termination of parental rights in April last year.

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