Victim of Sexual Assault on Sillim-dong Hiking Trail Eventually Dies... Suspect's Identity Disclosure Under Review

Charges to Be Changed from Rape and Injury

The female victim of the sexual assault incident on the hiking trail in Sillim-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, has ultimately died. Accordingly, the charge of rape and injury applied to the suspect, Choi (30), is expected to be changed. The police are considering holding a public disclosure committee for Choi next week.

According to the police on the 19th, A, who was receiving treatment at a university hospital in Seoul that afternoon, passed away. A was taken to the hospital immediately after the incident but was in critical condition due to severe head injuries. Accordingly, Choi's charges are expected to be changed. At present, it is highly likely that charges of rape-murder or rape resulting in death will be applied. A police official said, "The change in Choi's charges is under review."

The suspect Choi, involved in the sexual assault case on the Sillim-dong hiking trail, is leaving Gwanak Police Station on the 19th to attend the warrant hearing at the Seoul Central District Court. [Image source=Yonhap News]

When Choi left Gwanak Police Station that afternoon to attend the pre-arrest suspect interrogation (warrant hearing), he answered "Yes" to reporters' questions asking, "Is it true that you claim the sexual assault was only attempted?" When asked if he was influenced by the Sillim-dong and Bundang stabbing incidents, he denied, saying, "That is not the case." To the question, "Are you not sorry to the victim?" he replied, "I am sorry. I wish for a speedy recovery."

The police are also considering whether to disclose Choi's identity. Since the victim has died and if an arrest warrant for Choi is issued, the likelihood of holding a public disclosure committee is high. The initial charge applied to Choi, rape and injury, as well as the expected charges of rape-murder and rape resulting in death, all fall under crimes subject to identity disclosure under the Special Act on the Punishment of Specific Violent Crimes. A Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency official explained, "We are in the stage of reviewing (the holding of the public disclosure committee) according to relevant regulations."

Choi is suspected of assaulting and sexually assaulting the female victim A with the intent of rape in the mountains off the hiking trail around Gwanaksan connected to a park in Sillim-dong on the morning of the 17th. The police, who responded to a report from a hiker who heard the victim's screams of "Help me," apprehended Choi at the scene. It was confirmed that Choi and A were strangers to each other.

The police are focusing their investigation on the possibility that Choi's crime was premeditated. Choi left his residence in Doksan-dong, Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, at 9:55 a.m. the previous day and arrived at the Gwanaksan hiking trail at 11:01 a.m. Considering the report time was 11:44 a.m., Choi committed the crime within less than an hour after arriving. Choi told the police that he purchased the tools for the crime four months ago intending to commit sexual assault, and that he chose the park as the crime location because "he frequented the place and knew there were no CCTV cameras." Regarding his motive, he reportedly stated, "I committed the crime because I wanted to rape."

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