"I'm Truly Sorry" Kim Taehyun, the 'Three Women Murder' Suspect, Will He Really Reflect? [Han Seunggon's Case Notes]

Kim Taehyun Sentenced to Life Imprisonment in First Trial
Prosecution Demanded Death Penalty, the Highest Legal Sentence, at Last Month's Closing Arguments
Court: "Submitted a Letter of Reflection Expressing Remorse and Apologized to Victims and Bereaved Families"
Bereaved Families: "Request Death Sentence... Will Appeal"

Kim Tae-hyun, who is accused of murdering the 'three mothers' in an apartment in Nowon-gu, Seoul, is taking off his mask as he leaves Dobong Police Station in Seoul on April 9 to be transferred to the prosecution. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "Where is a law like this?", "I feel like my heart is going to burst and I’m going to die." - Bereaved family of the Kim Taehyun case

Kim Taehyun (25), who brutally murdered a mother and her two daughters in an apartment in Nowon-gu, Seoul, was sentenced to life imprisonment in the first trial on the 12th. Previously, the prosecution had sought the death penalty.

The court stated that it took into account Kim’s multiple submissions of apology letters and his admission of the crime. The bereaved family strongly opposed the verdict, saying they could not accept it. Kim Taehyun, who mercilessly killed a family, is he truly remorseful?

According to the legal community on the 13th, the 13th Criminal Division of the Seoul Northern District Court (Chief Judge Oh Gwon-cheol) sentenced Kim Taehyun to life imprisonment the day before on five charges including murder, theft, special residential intrusion, violation of the Information and Communications Network Act, and violation of the Minor Offenses Act. Earlier, the prosecution argued in the sentencing hearing that Kim’s crimes were premeditated and sought the maximum penalty of death.

At that time, the prosecution stated, "If the murder of the second daughter was unplanned, there should have been hesitation before committing the next crime, but he continued confidently," and "Considering that he decided to kill his mother, the series of crimes were planned." They further explained the reason for seeking the death penalty, saying, "Considering that he killed three people and committed other crimes during the process, there is no room to consider any sentence other than the harshest penalty."

Previously, Kim Taehyun claimed that except for the eldest daughter whom he stalked, the other victims were killed impulsively. This was a rebuttal to the prosecution’s claim that the crimes were planned. However, the court did not accept Kim’s claim that the crimes were impulsive.

The court said, "The defendant chose the victims’ residence as the crime scene and went to the victims’ house around 5:39 p.m., knowing that the eldest daughter would return home at 10 p.m.," and "To carry out the crime against the eldest daughter, he inevitably had to encounter someone in the family."

However, the court stated, "The defendant generally admitted to the crimes, has no criminal record exceeding fines, did not flee after the crime, submitted apology letters during the trial expressing remorse, and apologized to the victims and their families," and "Through isolated imprisonment, he is truly reflecting on his mistakes and repenting, and with a heart to atone to the victims and bereaved families, the court sentences him to the heaviest punishment other than death," explaining the sentencing rationale.

Kim Tae-hyun, who is accused of murdering the "three mothers" in an apartment in Nowon-gu, Seoul, is seen kneeling and apologizing to the victims as he leaves Dobong Police Station in Seoul on the morning of April 9 to be transferred to the prosecution.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

When the court sentenced Kim Taehyun to life imprisonment instead of the death penalty sought by the prosecution, the bereaved families watching the trial shouted for the death penalty and broke down in tears. They criticized that Kim Taehyun is not remorseful.

According to the legal community, Kim submitted 19 apology letters to the court from May until the 8th of this month after being indicted.

In court, the defendant’s sincere remorse is a mitigating factor in sentencing guidelines. An analysis by the Korea Sexual Violence Counseling Center of 137 sentencing guidelines registered in the court’s comprehensive legal information system for lower court rulings related to sexual crimes last year showed that 48 cases (about 35%) considered "defendant’s remorse and repentance" as a factor for sentence reduction.

However, in cases of premeditated murder or corpse mutilation, it is recommended to increase the sentence if there is no remorse. This is why attention is focused on whether "Kim Taehyun is truly remorseful," as the bereaved families are outraged.

Kim Tae-hyun leaving a PC room in Nowon-gu, Seoul, on March 23, the day of the incident. This PC room was a place frequently visited by the victim's eldest daughter. It is known that Kim did not play games but stayed for about 13 minutes before heading to the victim's residence. [Photo by Yonhap News]

Citizens raise their voices saying there can be no remorse for Kim Taehyun, who committed such a horrific crime.

Kim, a university student in his 20s, said, "How can someone who committed the crime of killing a whole family be remorseful?" and added, "Even the death penalty is not enough."

Park, an office worker in his 30s, said, "I was really angry when I heard the news," and expressed, "I don’t believe the words that he is remorseful."

There are cases where criminals who committed brutal crimes like Kim Taehyun submit hundreds of apology letters, claiming deep repentance.

Son Jung-woo, the operator of a 'dark web' child sexual exploitation site who was about to be released in April last year, submitted more than 500 apology letters during his first trial in 2018.

Also, Jang, the adoptive mother, and Ahn, the adoptive father, who were charged with repeatedly abusing and causing the death of 16-month-old Jeongin, submitted 11 and 3 apology letters respectively before their first trial sentencing.

Given this situation, some criminals even trade apology letters for money. According to a media report, among sex offenders, submitting apology letters to investigative and judicial authorities is shared as a kind of manual for sentence reduction, and exemplary apology letters are reportedly traded online.

On an online cafe, posts say, "The strongest sentencing material when detained is an apology letter," and "A heartfelt apology letter leads to leniency." There was even an apology letter posted that was reportedly submitted by an actual sex crime offender to investigative authorities. Although criminals claim to be remorseful, it is hard not to be skeptical about whether they are truly repentant.

Meanwhile, the bereaved families immediately announced their intention to appeal. They are also collecting online petitions demanding the death penalty for Kim in protest of the first trial’s verdict. In the petition, the bereaved families emphasized, "Even if he serves 30 to 40 years, Kim, who is 25 years old this year, will be in his 50s or 60s," and "He must never be allowed back into society. Because he is still young, it is even more unacceptable."

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