60s Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Attempted Rape and Murder of 80s Restaurant Owner

by Heo Kyungjun

Published 11 Aug.2023 06:40(KST)

1st Trial, Life Imprisonment → 2nd Trial, 30 Years Imprisonment

A man in his 60s who attempted to sexually assault and murdered a restaurant owner in her 80s was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Supreme Court in Seocho-dong, Seoul.

The Supreme Court's 3rd Division (Presiding Justice Oh Seok-jun) announced on the 11th that it upheld the original sentence of 30 years imprisonment for Mr. A, who was charged with violating the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (rape and murder). A 10-year restriction on employment at institutions related to children, adolescents, and persons with disabilities, as well as orders for disclosure and notification of personal information, were also confirmed.

Mr. A was brought to trial on charges of murdering Ms. B, the female owner of a restaurant in Cheongju, Chungbuk, last July after attempting to sexually assault her with a weapon.

Investigations revealed that Mr. A committed the crime in a fit of rage after Ms. B responded to him in a dismissive tone. During the trial, Mr. A admitted to the murder charge but claimed he had no intent to sexually assault.

However, the first trial court found Mr. A guilty of both murder and rape, sentencing him to life imprisonment. The appellate court also recognized all charges against Mr. A but sentenced him to 30 years in prison, stating that "it is difficult to see clear circumstances justifying life imprisonment that permanently isolates him from society." The Supreme Court agreed with the appellate court's judgment.