30s Man Arrested for Sexual Assault in Broad Daylight in Sillim-dong: "Risk of Escape" (Update)

Reviewing Change of Charges Due to Victim's Death

Choi (30, male), who assaulted and sexually assaulted a woman near Gwanaksan Mountain in broad daylight, has been arrested. Choi was charged with rape and injury, but the charges are expected to be changed due to the victim's death.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 19th, Judge Kim Bong-gyu of the Seoul Central District Court held a pre-trial detention hearing for Choi on charges of violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (rape and injury) in the afternoon and issued an arrest warrant, stating, "There is a risk of flight and considering the seriousness of the crime."

Choi is accused of assaulting the victim, Ms. A, with a metal tool called a knuckle and then raping her in the mountains off the Gwanaksan trail at around 11:44 a.m. on the 17th. It was confirmed that Choi and Ms. A did not know each other.

As Ms. A, who was unconscious and hospitalized, died that afternoon, the police are considering changing the charges. The court stated, "Although the pre-trial detention hearing was completed before Ms. A's death and the charges have not been changed, the decision to issue the warrant was made including the circumstances of Ms. A's death." Ms. A's autopsy is scheduled to be conducted at the National Forensic Service on the 21st.

At around 1:30 p.m. on the same day, as Choi left the Gwanak Police Station for the pre-trial detention hearing, he responded "Yes" to reporters' questions asking, "Is it correct that you claim it was only an attempted sexual assault?" He also denied having any intent to kill when asked, stating, "No." Regarding the victim, he said, "I'm sorry" and "I wish her a speedy recovery."

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