Supreme Court Confirms Heavy Sentences for 'Contract Killing of Filipino Residents' Group'

Supreme Court, Seocho-dong, Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The Supreme Court has upheld heavy sentences for a group accused of hiring a killer in the Philippines to carry out a contract killing of a Korean expatriate businessman.

On the 20th, the Supreme Court's 3rd Division (Presiding Justice Noh Jeonghee) announced that it confirmed the original sentences of 22 years imprisonment for Kim (57) and 19 years imprisonment for Kwon (56) in the appeal trial of the group indicted on charges of instigating murder.

Earlier, they were prosecuted on charges of instructing a local killer in Angeles, Philippines in 2015 to murder Park (61), a Korean expatriate who operated a hotel. The killer shot Park with a pistol and fled the scene, and his whereabouts have since been unknown.

It was investigated that Kim, after having a dispute with Park over investment funds and feeling neglected by Park, who was the investor, decided to kill him and requested Kwon to "find a killer, and I will reward you" to carry out the murder.

On the other hand, Kim and Kwon claimed innocence in court, suggesting the possibility that Park was killed by a killer hired by a third party.

The first trial court sentenced Kim and Kwon to 22 and 19 years imprisonment respectively, stating, "Due to the defendants, the victim suffered the irreversible deprivation of the right to life." The court found them guilty of instigating murder based on witness testimonies that "Kim asked Kwon to find a killer" and the fact that Kim sent money to Kwon.

The appellate court and the Supreme Court also agreed with this judgment. The Supreme Court panel stated, "The lower court did not err in its understanding of the establishment of the crime of instigating murder, the rule of corroboration of confessions, and the admissibility of evidence."

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