Middle School Student Who Killed Adoptive Mother After 15 Years Faces Citizen Participation Trial

Committed the Crime in a Fit of Rage
After Enduring Verbal Abuse and Beatings Such as
"You're Completely Useless"

A middle school student who was indicted for killing his adoptive mother, who had raised him since he was a baby after he was abandoned in an alley, has been sent to a citizen participation trial.

On September 8, the 11th Criminal Division of the Gwangju District Court, presided over by Chief Judge Kim Songhyun, held a public trial for Kim (15) on charges of murder. A citizen participation trial is a criminal trial in which ordinary citizens serve as jurors (seven members) or alternate jurors (one member). The jury's verdict is advisory only.

A middle school student who killed his adoptive mother, who had raised him since he was a baby after being abandoned in an alley, has been sent to a citizen participation trial. Photo by Asia Economy Database

Kim was brought to trial on charges of assaulting and killing his adoptive mother, identified as A (64), at their home in Imhoe-myeon, Jindo County, South Jeolla Province, at around 6:30 p.m. on January 29. According to the indictment, A had taken Kim in on September 1, 2010, fifteen years ago, after he was abandoned near her house, and raised him as her own child without going through formal adoption procedures.

Investigations revealed that the two often had conflicts over issues such as going out and daily behavior. On the day of the incident, Kim reportedly committed the crime in a fit of rage after being verbally abused and beaten by A, who said things like, "You're completely useless," and "Your brothers are diligent, so why are you like this?"

Kim's defense admitted all charges but appealed for leniency, arguing that Kim had suffered repeated psychological and physical abuse during his upbringing, which led to this tragic incident. In a letter of reflection submitted to the court, Kim also expressed remorse, stating, "I have lost the person I loved most with my own hands."

The court is expected to proceed with sentencing after the citizen participation trial on this day.