'20s Imprisoned for 30 Years in Second Trial for Locking and Killing Classmate in Officetel Bathroom'

Ahn Mo (21) and Kim Mo (21) are accused of confining a friend and causing death through cruel acts in an officetel in Mapo-gu. / Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Two men in their 20s who were tried for confining and assaulting a high school classmate in an officetel in Mapo-gu, Seoul, resulting in the victim's death, were each sentenced to 30 years in prison in the appellate court as well.

On the morning of the 30th, the Criminal Division 3 of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judges Park Yeonwook, Park Woncheol, Lee Heejun) sentenced Kim (21) and Ahn (21), who were indicted for violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Specific Crimes (joint coercion), to 30 years in prison, the same as in the first trial. Cha, who was also indicted for aiding their crimes, had the first trial's judgment upheld, sentencing him to 10 months in prison with a 2-year probation.

The appellate court stated, "They continuously targeted the victim, who had diminished cognitive ability and could not refuse, and the method of the crime was so harsh that it is hard to consider the victim as a fellow human being. They even appeared to enjoy filming the crime scenes," adding, "The crime trampled on the victim's personal rights, making the offense very serious." The court also rejected Kim and Ahn's claims that there was no intent to kill.

However, regarding the electronic monitoring device (electronic anklet) attachment order for 10 years imposed on Kim and Ahn in the first trial, the appellate court dismissed the attachment request only for Ahn, based on expert opinions indicating a low risk of reoffending.

Earlier, Kim and Ahn were prosecuted for confining victim A, who had intellectual disabilities, in the bathroom of an officetel in April last year, subjecting him to harsh treatment such as starvation, which led to his death from pneumonia and malnutrition.

A was found dead naked in the officetel around 6 a.m. on June 13 of the same year. At the time of discovery, A was severely underweight at 34 kg due to malnutrition and showed signs of restraint and assault on his body.

According to investigative authorities, Kim and Ahn, who were middle school and university classmates, began living together in an officetel in Gangnam, Seoul, from June 2020. A was found to have frequently visited their home since July of the same year.

After A’s father filed a complaint upon discovering signs of assault on his son’s body, Kim and Ahn reportedly took A to Seoul to confine him with the intent of 'retaliation and extortion,' intimidating him by saying, "Let's work to pay off the debt." They also forced A to sign a 'withdrawal of complaint' agreement and sent text messages to the police stating the complaint was withdrawn. It was confirmed that they extorted about 6 million won by forcing small payments on A’s phone and opening and selling a mobile phone under the victim’s name.

The first trial stated, "As the crime prolonged, the victim’s health deteriorated to the point where he could not control urination and defecation properly, even urinating accidentally in the room," and added, "Even on the day of death, around 3 a.m., the victim’s breathing became labored, indicating a critical health condition, yet Kim and Ahn did not immediately take the victim to the hospital or release the cable ties restraining him. It can be sufficiently recognized that there was intent to kill by implied malice." Consequently, Kim and Ahn were each sentenced to 30 years in prison.

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