'Personal Protection Killing' Lee Seok-jun Denies Charges in Trial: "Not a Revenge Murder"

Published 17 Mar.2022 18:24(KST)

Denial of Retaliatory Murder Charges at First Trial Session

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] Lee Seok-jun (26), who is accused of killing a woman’s mother after visiting the house of a woman under personal protection, denied charges including retaliatory murder at his first trial.

The Seoul Eastern District Court Criminal Division 12 (Presiding Judge Lee Jong-chae) held the first trial at 4 p.m. on the 17th for Lee Seok-jun, who was indicted on charges including violation of the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes (retaliatory murder, etc.), attempted murder, preparation for murder, injury by rape, violation of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Crimes (filming and distribution using a camera), and violation of the Personal Information Protection Act.

The prosecution stated, "The defendant committed a sexual violence crime against the victim’s will and, upon the victim’s report to the police, decided to kill the family and meticulously prepared various tools." According to the prosecution, at the time of the incident, Lee Seok-jun had prepared crime tools in advance, including an electric shock device, a knife, work gloves, and a 1 kg sack of flour.

Lee Seok-jun’s side admitted to the crime but denied charges of retaliatory murder under the special law, injury by rape, and violation of the Personal Information Protection Act.

Lee Seok-jun’s lawyer stated, "He did not intend to take revenge on his mother, and he was unaware that using a private investigation agency was illegal." Regarding the injury by rape charge, the lawyer explained, "The scuffle occurred due to reasons other than the intent to rape, resulting in assault."

The lawyer also told reporters, "The person Lee felt betrayed and angry at was the victim, not her mother, so it should be considered a general murder rather than retaliatory murder."