"Even if Forced, I Must Write a Reflection Letter" Words Contained in Jeong Yujeong's Recorded Transcript

Prosecution Reveals Jeong Yoo-jeong Family Visit Recording in Appeal Trial
"Should Have Cleaned Room Before Search" Grandfather's Resentment Also Expressed

Jung Yoo-jung, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in the first trial for murdering a peer woman she met through a tutoring app and mutilating and abandoning the body, was revealed to have said during a family visit, "I should forcibly write a letter of apology," and "I should have cleaned the room before the police search," according to reports.

[Photo by Yonhap News]

On the 24th, Yonhap News reported that the prosecution requested the death penalty at the first appeal trial of Jung Yoo-jung held at the Busan High Court Criminal Division 2-3. The prosecution stated, "The defendant committed a crime that disregards human life, meticulously planned the crime after acquiring sufficient knowledge about murder, and the method of the crime was brutal," adding, "However, she consistently makes excuses and shows no remorse, so the death penalty is necessary to prevent the risk of reoffending," explaining the reason for the appeal.

As grounds for requesting the death penalty, the prosecution submitted new evidence including transcripts and audio recordings of Jung Yoo-jung’s family visits in detention. The prosecution revealed that in these recordings, Jung said, "I should forcibly show sincerity by writing a letter of apology," and expressed resentment towards her grandfather by saying, "I should have cleaned the room before the police search." The prosecution argued that Jung is aware that her crime warrants the death penalty or life imprisonment and is considering grounds for sentence reduction.

Previously, it was reported that Jung Yoo-jung submitted letters of apology about ten times to the first trial court. At that time, the court pointed out, "Although many letters of apology were submitted, it is doubtful whether she is truly remorseful," and added, "Her behavior since arrest has been planned and artificial."

Evidence investigation to play a portion of these audio recordings is scheduled for the next trial session, which will be held on the 28th of next month.

However, Jung’s defense attorney requested the court to conduct the evidence investigation privately, stating, "Since there are private conversations among family members." The defense also withdrew the claim of diminished mental capacity that had been continuously argued in the first trial, saying, "Although psychiatric treatment records were submitted, this is not an essential part of this case but a request for consideration in sentencing." Furthermore, the defense stated, "The defendant’s father is trying to prepare the deposit money even if he has to sell the house," and added, "Since irreversible consequences have occurred to the victim, contacting the bereaved families itself may cause new harm."

Jung Yoo-jung was prosecuted for allegedly disguising herself as a middle school student looking for a tutor on May 26 last year, visiting the victim A’s house, killing her with a weapon, and mutilating and abandoning the body. The first trial court sentenced Jung Yoo-jung to life imprisonment and ordered the attachment of an electronic tracking device for 30 years.

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