Prosecution Appeals 22-Year Prison Sentence in First Trial for 'Revenge Murder'

The prosecution has filed an appeal against the first trial sentence of 22 years in prison for a former organized crime member and entertainment agency operator who wielded a weapon in downtown Gwangju, resulting in two casualties.

The Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office announced on the 27th that it had appealed the first trial verdict for Kim (57), who was indicted on charges of retaliatory murder over a so-called entertainment agency business dispute, stating that a heavier sentence was necessary.

Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office. Photo by Song Bohyun

In the first trial, the prosecution had sought a life sentence, citing that the defendant committed the crime in front of numerous citizens and wielded a weapon at victims who tried to report his illegal activities to the police, thus attempting to obstruct the normal functioning of the national judicial system.

Kim was brought to trial on charges of stabbing and killing a victim in his 40s with a weapon and seriously injuring another victim in the entertainment district of Cheomdan in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, around 7:30 p.m. on June 7.

During the investigation, it was found that Kim and the victims had conflicts over the so-called entertainment agency business rights, which involve supplying hostesses to entertainment establishments.

The prosecution stated, "We will do our utmost to strictly respond to violent crimes that cause public anxiety and to protect the public and society from crime."

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