Police identify suspect in Sillim-dong rape and murder case

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 on a hiking trail in Sillim-dong, southern Seoul, as 30-year-old Choi Yoon-jong.

Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency convened a review committee Wednesday afternoon and decided to disclose Choi’s identity.

Choi is suspected of assaulting and raping a random woman in her 30s on a hiking trail in Sillim-dong in Gwanak District, southern Seoul last Thursday. The victim lost consciousness right after the attack and died Saturday.

Police also revealed a mugshot of Choi on Wednesday, as the suspect agreed to disclose his recent photo publicly a day earlier.

Both 33-year-old Cho 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]