"Stmusal Uri Ddal Insaeng Bbaetgagnneunde" Choi Wonjong's First Trial Ended in 17 Minutes

Attorney Choi: "Haven't seen investigation records yet"
First trial ends in just 17 minutes considering defendant's convenience
Bereaved families "Is this a reasonable situation?" express outrage

The first trial for Choi Won-jong, who committed the 'Seohyeon Station stabbing incident,' was held on the 14th. The trial ended in just 17 minutes because Choi Won-jong's appointed lawyer claimed he had not reviewed the records.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Seohyeon Station stabbing incident occurred on August 3rd at AK Plaza Bundang in Bundang, Gyeonggi Province, where Choi Won-jong drove a vehicle onto the sidewalk, causing casualties, and then stabbed nearby pedestrians. Two people died and 12 were injured in this incident.

At the trial, Choi’s lawyer withheld his opinion, stating that he had not yet been able to review or copy the investigation records. When the court asked, "Do you mean you want to speak after reviewing the evidence records?" the lawyer replied, "Yes." The victims’ families attending the trial expressed their outrage, saying, "We are filled with anger," and "Is this a reasonable situation?" They argued that it was unconvincing that the lawyer had not reviewed the investigation records even though a month had passed since the incident.

The husband of the deceased, 60-year-old Lee Hee-nam, said, "They say murderers have human rights, but this incident should not lead to a country that respects the human rights of murderers." He also said he still cannot accept reality. He added, "I am still so devastated that I sleep hugging my wife’s pillow." After the trial ended and Choi was being taken away in a transport vehicle, the victims’ families shouted and threw their phones in anger.

The father of victim Kim Hye-bin, who did not regain consciousness for a month and eventually passed away, said, "Our daughter was only twenty years old, and her life was completely taken away." He demanded severe punishment, saying, "What did our Hye-bin do wrong to you? She only lived a good life, listened to her parents, so why did you do this?" The next trial date for this case is scheduled for the 10th of next month.

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