Prosecutors seek death penalty for brass knuckle killer

Social Affairs

Published: 11 Dec. 2023, 19:18 Updated: 11 Dec. 2023, 22:37

Prosecutors seek death penalty for brass knuckle killer

Choi Yoon-jong is being escorted by the Gwanak police on Aug. 25 for questioning by prosecutors regarding his killing of a woman he followed into a park in Sillim-dong, Gwanak District, southern Seoul. [YONHAP]

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Choi Yoon-jong, a 30-year-old who raped and killed a woman with a brass knuckle at a park in Seoul on Aug. 17.

Choi followed the victim, a teacher in her 30s, to a remote area of the park, in Seoul's Gwanak District, connected to a hiking trail around noon to rape the victim.

Choi was apprehended by the police approximately 20 minutes after a report was filed.

The victim died two days after the assault.

Despite Choi not knowing the victim before the assault, the prosecution alleges Choi's assault was premeditated, given he purchased the brass knuckle four months before the assault and had visited the park.

At first, he said he was trying to help the woman, who Choi said had been knocked down by a fallen branch.

However, it was revealed that his actual intent was to render her unconscious, as he reportedly shouted, "Why aren't you passed out?"

He admitted later he wanted to rape the woman.

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]