"Sentence Soyoung Kim to Death for Motel Murder"... Victims' Families Submit 94 Petitions

"Family's Happiness Shattered... Demand for Severe Punishment"


Families Step Up Legal Action Ahead of First Trial

Ahead of the first trial of Soyoung Kim (20), the defendant in the Gangbuk motel serial drug murder case, the victims' families have submitted a large-scale petition, urging the court to impose the maximum punishment.

Mug shot of suspect Kim Soyoung (20), accused of causing the deaths of two men in succession by drugging their drinks. Photo by Yonhap News.

According to the legal community on April 8, attorney Nam Eunho of Vincent Law Office, who represents the bereaved families of the deceased victims, compiled a total of 94 copies of petitions and sent them to the Seoul Northern District Court the previous day.

The petitions were written by the older brother, mother, and father of the deceased victim, identified as Mr. A. They describe the pain caused by Kim's crimes and demand a death sentence.

In the petition, Mr. A's older brother stated, "In the face of Soyoung Kim’s premeditated drug murders, the daily life and happiness of an entire family were shattered," adding, "The defendant, Soyoung Kim, has consistently mocked the legal system by maintaining brazen lies without a single apology."

He went on to say, "Even inside the detention center, she casually exchanges letters with outsiders and continues to show an attitude devoid of excuses or remorse," and appealed, "We ask the court to sentence the defendant, who destroyed a young man's dreams and tore apart a family, to the maximum penalty permitted by law—death."

Mr. A’s mother and father also stated, "Please severely punish the murderer who took a life for no reason," and added, "We hope that imposing the death penalty will serve as at least some warning against the neglect of such heinous crimes committed by wicked individuals like her."

Prior to submitting the petitions, the bereaved family filed a civil lawsuit on April 6 against Kim, seeking damages of 31 million won. They also filed a claim for 1 million won against Kim’s parents on the grounds of their duty to support. The total damages specified in the complaint amount to approximately 1.1 billion won.

Petitions are used as reference materials for the court’s sentencing decisions and can influence the length of the sentence. The bereaved families have stated that they plan to actively refute any claim by Kim of diminished mental capacity or similar defenses. On April 1, Kim submitted a letter of reflection to the court, and it is possible that its contents may be considered as a mitigating factor.

Meanwhile, Kim's first trial is scheduled to be held at 3:45 p.m. on April 9 at the Seoul Northern District Court. The bereaved families plan to make a public statement in front of the court before the hearing begins.

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