'Nowon Three Women Murder' Kim Taehyun: "Accidental Crime... No Sympathy for Victims' Discomfort"

Suspect Kim Taehyun, accused of breaking into an apartment in Nowon-gu, Seoul, and killing three women of the same family, is being transferred to the prosecution at Dobong Police Station in Seoul on the 9th. Photo by Kang Jinhyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Junhyung] Kim Taehyun (25), who murdered three women in an apartment in Nowon-gu, Seoul, reiterated that the killings were 'accidental.' He also stated that he could not empathize with the uncomfortable feelings the victims might have had toward him.

On the 6th, during the trial held at the Seoul Northern District Court Criminal Division 13 (Presiding Judge Oh Gwoncheol), Kim responded this way to the prosecution's questioning. He repeatedly emphasized that the crime was 'accidental' during this hearing as well. From the first trial, he has claimed that he killed the victims impulsively.

He also stated that he could not empathize with the discomfort the victims felt. According to the prosecution, on January 23, Kim, along with the eldest daughter of the victims and two acquaintances, was having a meal at a restaurant when he became irritable and broke a bottle. Because of this incident, the victims expressed their wish not to be contacted by Kim.

Kim said, "I cannot empathize at all with the discomfort felt by the victims who were in the same space," adding, "I did not realize that the situation was wrong." He further stated, "Only after drinking and seeing the victim's face did I feel that I had done something wrong."

He admitted to repeatedly attempting contact without considering the victims' feelings. He said, "I wanted to restore the relationship with the victims," and added, "I chose the crime scene as my home thinking, 'Maybe I can say what I wanted to say to the victims.'"

The prosecution requested an electronic monitoring order, stating, "The probation office investigation results show a high risk of reoffending with a score of 13," and warned, "There is a risk of committing murder again."

The prosecution also mentioned that although Kim submitted a letter of remorse to the court, he sent threatening letters to reporters who wrote articles about him. The prosecution questioned, "Would people think that Kim is truly remorseful?"

Two bereaved family members attended the trial as sentencing witnesses. They unanimously stated that the three women lived diligently despite many hardships. A, the elder sister of the mother among the victims who participated in the questioning, said, "The defendant showed no sign of remorse at all," and added, "I believe the criminal deserves to die."

The court plans to hold the sentencing hearing for Kim on the 13th of this month.

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