Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for 20s Man Who Sexually Assaulted, Abused, and Murdered 20-Month-Old Girlfriend's Daughter

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The prosecution has sought the death penalty for a man in his 20s accused of sexually assaulting and brutally abusing to death the 20-month-old daughter of his cohabiting partner.

On the 1st, the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office requested the death penalty for Yang Mo (29) during the sentencing trial held at the Daejeon District Court Criminal Division 12 (Presiding Judge Yoo Seok-cheol) on charges of child abuse resulting in death and rape of a minor under 13 years old. They also requested 15 years of sexual impulse drug treatment (commonly known as chemical castration) and a 45-year order to attach an electronic tracking device (electronic anklet).

The prosecution emphasized, "He raped and killed a 20-month-old girl to satisfy his sexual desires," adding, "He committed acts that even animals would not commit without hesitation and showed an extreme disregard for life."

Yang is accused of covering the daughter of his cohabiting partner Jeong Mo (25) with a blanket for about an hour while intoxicated in the early morning of June 15, then repeatedly punching and stomping her with his feet, causing her death. Afterward, he and Jeong allegedly placed the body in an icebox and hid it in the bathroom of their home. The prosecution stated that before the abusive killing, Yang also raped or sexually assaulted the child.

Yang was additionally indicted for stealing valuables while fleeing from the police after the crime.

The prosecution sought a five-year prison sentence for Jeong, who was tried alongside Yang on charges including concealment of a corpse.

The court has scheduled the sentencing hearing for the 22nd of next month.

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