Park Dae-seong, the murderer of a high school girl in Suncheon, Prosecutors Request "Death Sentence" Again at Appeal Trial

Prosecutors have once again requested the death penalty for Park Dae-seong (32), who murdered a high school girl he had no prior acquaintance with, during the appeal trial.

In a hearing held on the morning of the 3rd at the Gwangju High Court Criminal Division 1, presided over by Judge Kim Jin-hwan, the prosecutor pleaded, "I sincerely urge you to impose the death penalty."

Park Dae-seong was sentenced to life imprisonment and a 20-year electronic monitoring order in the first trial.

The prosecutor stated, "The citizens dream of a country where they can live safely before becoming a wealthy and powerful nation," and continued, "The fundamental reason that judges and prosecutors work late every day, immersed in extensive case records, is for the safety of the citizens of the Republic of Korea."

He added, "Seeing the case where a 17-year-old female student was stabbed to death by the defendant's weapon without any reason, ordinary people are losing hope for tomorrow, and netizens are furious that the defendant should suffer the same fate."

The Brutal Crime That Took Away an Innocent Victim's Dreams

The prosecutor said, "Park Dae-seong cruelly murdered the victim, who could not even pursue her dreams at a tender age, to release his personal feelings," and pointed out, "Yet the defendant was sentenced to life imprisonment, not the death penalty, which could lead to his release again through parole after over ten years."

In conclusion, the prosecutor emphasized, "If the victim suffers more than the murderer in this world, what hope is there for the citizens who endure hard work while delaying today's happiness?" He remarked, "The sentencing guidelines for murder are the standard for all criminal penalties."

Park Dae-seong expressed in his final statement, "Due to my wrongful actions, one person's life was lost, and the bereaved family has received an irreparable wound," adding, "I know I cannot be forgiven, and all I can say now is that I am sorry."

The Brutal Criminal Who Prepared for Additional Murders After the Crime

Park Dae-seong is under indictment for following and repeatedly stabbing A (18) in the early hours of September 26 last year in Jorye-dong, Suncheon City, leading to her death, and he appealed after being sentenced to life imprisonment in the first trial.

After fleeing immediately following the crime, Park Dae-seong is also accused of preparing for additional murders while wandering barefoot with a weapon for about two hours and visiting a tavern and a karaoke room run by a female owner.

Notably, CCTV captured Park Dae-seong walking away with a smiling face after murdering A, drawing public outrage. When he was transferred to the prosecution on October 4 last year, he had been smiling until he spotted cameras from the media and lowered his head, changing his expression.

A's father, who attended the trial in a wheelchair, submitted a petition to the appeal court requesting that the defendant be severely punished.

The sentencing hearing for Park Dae-seong's appeal is scheduled to be held on May 1.

Image source: Jeonnam Police Agency, smiling after the crime / JTBC 'Newsroom', Park Dae-seong / News1