Killer Gu Yu-jeong, the Reality of 'Outcast' Life in Prison Revealed
Gu Yu-jeong, sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of her ex-husband and disposing of his body, has revealed her current situation for the first time through the broadcast of TV Chosun's "Modern Figures – Mr. Lee" on the 1st.
According to the testimony of former inmate A, who was incarcerated at Cheongju Women's Prison, Gu Yu-jeong is reported to be severely bullied within the prison.
A stated, "There is a hierarchy among lifers; hiring someone to kill or committing murder are considered upper-level offenses," adding, "Because Gu Yu-jeong killed her husband, she is classified as A-level in terms of malice."
Due to this, Gu Yu-jeong has faced severe bullying from other inmates since the early days of her incarceration.
Gu Yu-jeong's Tragic Incarceration and the Conditions in Prison
According to A's testimony, other inmates have spat at Gu Yu-jeong, grabbed her hair, and during exercise time, secretly threw dirt at her or pushed her.
In particular, one inmate is said to have continuously hurled insults at Gu Yu-jeong from in front of her cell for about a month. Because of this bullying, Gu Yu-jeong has developed a fear of going outside her cell and has been unable to wash properly.
A explained, "She has to go out to wash, but she can't go out because she's afraid of being bullied, so she has to wash with cold water." Ultimately, A reported that Gu Yu-jeong retaliated against the bullying by cursing at other inmates.
Currently, Cheongju Women’s Prison, the only female correctional facility in South Korea, is known to have an occupancy rate exceeding 200% as of 2023, leading to serious overcrowding issues.
This has resulted in frequent conflicts and fights among the inmates.
Background of the Gu Yu-jeong Case and Legal Verdict
Gu Yu-jeong was charged with secretly administering sleeping pills to her ex-husband B, who had come to a pension in Jeju for a visitation with their son, and then killing him with a weapon.
She also faced charges of mutilating the body and disposing of it in the sea from a ferry or at an apartment's waste disposal facility.
During the trial, Gu Yu-jeong claimed that B attempted to sexually assault her, and that she committed the act in a moment of panic while resisting.
However, the court found no evidence of sexual assault, and considering that Gu Yu-jeong purchased sleeping pills and weapons in advance and searched for "how to erase bloodstains" on the internet, the murder was deemed premeditated.
In 2020, the Supreme Court confirmed a life sentence for Gu Yu-jeong on charges of murder, body mutilation, and body concealment. However, she was acquitted of the charges related to the murder of her step-son due to insufficient evidence.
Since her indictment, Gu Yu-jeong has lost parental rights over her biological son and has lost the divorce lawsuit filed by the father of her deceased step-son.
Image Source: Gu Yu-jeong / News1, TV Chosun "Modern Figures – Mr. Lee"
