Class-action case is filed against suspected killer

Bereaved family members of alleged victims of Kang Ho-sun filed a 1.03 billion won ($734,141) lawsuit against the self-confessed serial killer yesterday.

Kang, 38, has admitted to killing seven women in southwestern Gyeonggi between December 2006 and December 2008. Police handed the case over to prosecutors on Feb. 3.

Families of five victims are participating in the class-action suit, according to Yang Jin-young, an attorney representing the group.

A petition presented to Suwon District Court yesterday said, “What Kang has done caused us not only extreme mental and physical anguish, but financial hardship as well. Kang’s crimes caused us great loss. We demand he pay us a total of 1.03 billion won in compensation.”

Prior to filing the suit, the family members requested the court approve a provisional seizure of Kang’s assets, including bank deposits and a building he owns. The court approved the seizure, the attorney said. Kang has assets worth 750 million won.

“The families of the victims decided to file a class-action lawsuit after the court accepted the seizure of Kang’s 15 different assets as they requested,” Yang said. “If the amount of compensation turns out to be too little in the court ruling, we will consider filing another suit against the government.”

By Jeon Ick-jin JoongAng Ilbo/ Kim Mi-ju Staff Reporter [mijukim@joongang.co.kr]