Former Redevelopment Association Head in Cheonho-dong Sentenced to Life in First Trial for Knife Attack

Harbored Resentment After Being Accused of Sexual Assault and Committed the Crime
Court: “Blaming Victims and Making No Effort Toward Restitution”

A former head of a redevelopment association in Cheonho-dong, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, who wielded a weapon at the association’s office, resulting in one death and injuring two others, has been sentenced to life imprisonment in the first trial.

The 11th Criminal Division of the Seoul Eastern District Court (Presiding Judge Ko Chungjeong) sentenced Mr. Cho (67), who was arrested and indicted on charges of retaliatory murder and attempted murder under the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Crimes, to life imprisonment on the 15th.

Seoul Eastern District Court, Songpa-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jaehyun Park

The court stated, "He appears to be shifting the blame for the crime onto the victims and has made no effort to compensate for the harm caused," and added, "It is appropriate to permanently isolate him from society so that he can sincerely reflect on his wrongdoing and live with a sense of atonement toward the victims."

Mr. Cho was brought to trial on charges of attacking three association officials with a weapon at the Cheonho-dong redevelopment association office in November of last year, which resulted in one fatality and two people being seriously injured.

Previously, it was found that in July of last year, when he was to be tried for forcibly molesting one of the victims, he demanded that the victims withdraw their complaint. After they refused, he harbored resentment and committed the crime.

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