SUWON: A local court has sentenced a man to life imprisonment for the fatal stabbing of his girlfriend, which occurred following her attempt to end their relationship. The attack, which also left the victim’s mother seriously injured, was described by the court as a result of “wrong obsession.”
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Suwon District Court handed down the life sentence to Kim Le-ah, aged 27, for the murder of his 21-year-old girlfriend at his residence in Hwaseong, approximately 45 kilometers south of Seoul. The incident took place in March when the victim visited Kim’s home to break off the relationship. During the attack, the victim’s mother, who had accompanied her daughter, was also stabbed and required 10 weeks of medical treatment for her injuries.
The court emphasized the severity of the crime, noting the absence of mitigating circumstances for the attack’s motive and execution. It characterized the crime as “extremely cruel and tragic,” leading to the decision to “permanently isolate the
defendant from society.” The court also mandated that Kim issue an apology to the victim’s bereaved family members.
Claims by Kim that he was suffering from depression and mental vulnerability at the time were dismissed by the court. Evidence presented during the trial highlighted the deliberate nature of the attack, undermining his defense. It was revealed that Kim had developed an unhealthy obsession with his girlfriend, often threatening violence during disputes and expressing intentions to harm both himself and the victim if their relationship ended.