Police ID suspect in sexual assault, murder on hiking trail

The mugshot of Choi Yoon-jong, 30, accused of raping and murdering a woman on a hiking trail in Sillim-dong, southern Seoul, was revealed by the police on Wednesday. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN POLICE AGENCY]

Police on Wednesday revealed the identity of the man accused of sexually assaulting and murdering a woman in Sillim-dong, southern Seoul, as 30-year-old Choi Yoon-jong.

Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency decided to disclose Choi’s name, age and mugshot after convening a review committee Wednesday afternoon.

In revealing his identity, the committee acknowledged the brutality and severity of the case since the suspect “premeditated the crime by purchasing a weapon and searching for a potential crime site” and “murdered a random woman after attempting to rape her in a public space.”

The police review committee added that there is sufficient evidence, including surveillance camera footage, to prove accusations against Choi.

Police also revealed a mugshot of the arrested suspect after receiving consent from the suspect a day earlier.

Choi is accused of beating and sexually assaulting a random woman in her 30s on a hiking trail connected to a park in Sillim-dong in Gwanak District, southern Seoul, on Thursday.

The woman lost consciousness right after the attack and remained unconscious until she died on Saturday.

The victim, an elementary school teacher in her 30s, was reportedly on her way to her school for staff training the day she was attacked.

Choi told the police that he wore two brass knuckles on each of his hands to beat the victim. He purchased the brass knuckles four months ago.

The National Forensic Service said in its preliminary autopsy report that the victim died from strangulation, raising the possibility that Choi had intended to kill her.

Choi earlier told the police that he beat the victim to rape her, but claimed he did not intend to murder her. He also said although he attempted to rape the victim, he ultimately failed.

After the victim died, police on Sunday decided to investigate the suspect for sexually assaulting and killing the victim instead of raping and injuring her.

If convicted, he faces up to the death penalty or life imprisonment.

Choi will be turned over to the prosecution on Friday.

Choi’s mugshot revealed on Wednesday marks the second time that Korean police revealed a recent photo of a criminal suspect since disclosing a photo of 27-year-old Lee Seok-joon, who killed his ex-girlfriend’s mother in 2021.

Both 33-year-old Jo Seon, who went on a stabbing rampage near Sillim Station in Gwanak District, southern Seoul, and 22-year-old Choi Won-jong, who was behind a stabbing attack in Bundang, Gyeonggi, refused to disclose their mugshots.

Police in Korea reveal the identity of suspects when they deem the disclosure is in the public's best interest and could help prevent similar crimes. But recent photos, including mugshots, cannot be released without the suspect’s consent.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]