Recently, a horrific murder-for-gain case occurred in Gimcheon City, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.
A 31-year-old man broke into a mixed-use building, killed another man in his 30s whom he did not know, then stole the victim’s ID and cash card, spending millions of won on various purchases.
Even more shocking, the man also used the victim’s fingerprint to successfully apply for a loan of up to 60 million won through the victim’s mobile phone… 
(The murderer, Yang Jung-ryeol)
The man, named Yang Jung-ryeol, was facing financial difficulties and planned to carry out a robbery.
On the evening of November 12 this year, Yang Jung-ryeol broke into a mixed-use building in Yeongok-dong, Gimcheon City, and sat at the doorway of a stranger’s home.
A resident in his 30s, Mr. A, scolded him, “Why are you at someone else’s doorstep?” and demanded that Yang Jung-ryeol leave immediately.
An altercation ensued between the two.
Yang Jung-ryeol then forcibly entered the apartment, attacked Mr. A with a weapon, and killed him.
After committing the crime, Yang Jung-ryeol wrapped Mr. A’s body in plastic wrap, then calmly moved into the victim’s home, acting as if he were the owner.
He used Mr. A’s ID and cash card to receive treatment at a nearby hospital.
Subsequently, he went shopping at convenience stores, took taxis, and stayed in accommodations, spending millions of won from Mr. A’s assets.
Yang Jung-ryeol also used the victim’s fingerprints to easily obtain a loan of 60 million won in Mr. A’s name through his mobile phone.
(Screenshot from Korean media report)
After Mr. A’s murder, his parents, concerned because he did not go to work and could not be reached by phone, reported the situation to the police.
During the time Yang Jung-ryeol stayed in the apartment with the corpse, he pretended to be the victim, sending text messages from Mr. A’s phone saying, “I’m not at home,” “I’ve gone out.”
A week after the incident, on November 19,
Yang Jung-ryeol called his parents, confessing his heinous crime: “I killed someone, I want to commit suicide.”
His parents then reported to the police.
The police quickly mobilized and arrested Yang Jung-ryeol that afternoon in the parking lot of a motel in Gimcheon City, detaining him on charges of robbery and murder.
Initially, Yang Jung-ryeol denied his crimes when questioned by the police.
He claimed the killing was an impulsive act, occurring during a physical altercation where he unintentionally used a weapon from the victim’s home to kill him.
However, the police investigation revealed that Yang Jung-ryeol had made thorough preparations for his criminal act, not only preparing a weapon in advance but also attempting to dispose of the body to cover up his crime.
Upon being presented with conclusive evidence, Yang Jung-ryeol admitted to the crime.
(Gimcheon Branch of Daegu District Prosecutor’s Office)
After the incident, the family of the victim, Mr. A, gathered in front of the Daegu District Prosecutor’s Office, filled with grief and anger.
The family held up signs with slogans like “Please reveal the identity of the murderer and the truth behind my son’s murder,” “Never become another victim of a devil in human form.”
On December 11, the prosecution held a personal information disclosure review committee and decided to disclose Yang Jung-ryeol’s personal information under the “Law on Disclosure of Personal Information of Suspects in Specific Serious Crimes.”
On the morning of December 12, the Gimcheon Branch of Daegu District Prosecutor’s Office published Yang Jung-ryeol’s name, age, and photo on its official website for 30 days.
A representative from the prosecution revealed, “The suspect did not object to the decision to disclose his personal information, so we decided to disclose it immediately.”
According to South Korea’s “Law on Disclosure of Personal Information of Suspects in Specific Serious Crimes,” if the crime is deemed brutal, the damage severe, and there is substantial evidence that the suspect committed the crime, the prosecution can disclose the suspect’s name and age. Crime.
Additionally, personal information can only be disclosed when necessary for public interest, such as ensuring the public’s right to know, preventing the suspect from committing crimes again, and preventing crime.
(The murderer, Yang Jung-ryeol)
The prosecution stated: “Yang Jung-ryeol had no relationship with the victim, and his criminal act was extremely cruel, a blatant act of robbery and murder.”
This is the first case in which the Daegu District Prosecutor’s Office has disclosed a suspect’s identity during the investigation phase.
The family of the victim, Mr. A, expressed:
“The murderer, tired of fleeing, called his family for help after killing.”
“The prosecutor said, ‘We will do our best to ensure the suspect receives appropriate punishment.’ We hope the murderer is punished swiftly…”
