30s Man Arrested for Daytime Sexual Assault in Sillim-dong... Review Underway for 'Rape and Murder' Charges (Comprehensive)

Law "Considering flight risk and seriousness of crime"
Following warrant hearing, victim's death leads to
Reviewing application of rape-murder instead of rape-injury

Choi (30, male), who assaulted and sexually assaulted a woman near the Gwanaksan Dulle-gil trail in broad daylight, has been arrested. Although Choi was charged with rape and injury, the police are considering changing the charge to rape and murder 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) 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 knuckle tool and then raping her in a mountain area off the Gwanaksan Dulle-gil trail in Sillim-dong, Gwanak-gu, 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 plan to change the charge to rape and murder. The court also stated, "Although the pre-trial detention hearing was completed before Ms. A's death and the charge has not been changed, the decision to issue the warrant was made considering the circumstances of Ms. A's death." Ms. A's autopsy is scheduled to be conducted on the 21st at the National Forensic Service.

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 if it was correct that he claimed the sexual assault was only an attempt. When asked if he had the intent to kill, Choi denied it, saying "No." Regarding the victim, he said, "I'm sorry" and "I wish her a speedy recovery."

The police identified Choi's movements on the day of the crime, noting that he left his residence in Doksan-dong, Geumcheon-gu, at 9:55 a.m. and arrived at the Gwanaksan Dulle-gil trail at 11:01 a.m. Choi stated that he found Ms. A while walking the trail, and the police are investigating his detailed route and the specifics of the crime.

During the investigation, Choi stated, "I purchased the knuckle tool online four months ago with the intent to commit rape." He also said that the crime location was near his residence and a place he frequented, adding, "I chose it because I knew there were no CCTV cameras." Based on Choi's statements, the police are focusing on the possibility that this was a planned crime.

At the time of arrest, a rapid drug test on Choi came back negative, and it was confirmed that he was not intoxicated. The police have requested a detailed drug test from the National Forensic Service. Although Choi had a history of hospital visits for depression and other conditions, his family stated that he did not receive treatment. The police plan to verify this through medical records.

The police are considering holding a personal information disclosure committee regarding Choi. Both the current charge of rape and injury and the likely future charge of rape and murder fall under crimes subject to personal information disclosure under the Special Act on the Punishment of Specific Violent Crimes. A Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency official explained, "We are currently reviewing the possibility of holding the disclosure committee in accordance with relevant regulations."

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