After Denying Allegations, Gwangju Murderer Admits to Sexual Assault Motive After Viewing Video Evidence

[Anchor]

Jang Yun-gi, the perpetrator behind the murder of a high school girl in Gwangju, has admitted in court for the first time that he committed the murder with the intent of sexual assault, two months after the incident. Jang, who had previously denied the charges, ultimately confessed after being presented with enhanced CCTV footage of the crime. The victim's family has repeatedly called for a severe punishment.

Report by Im Jihyeon.

[Reporter]

The second trial for the high school girl murder case was held at the Gwangju District Court.

The core issue of this trial was whether Jang Yun-gi would admit that the crime was committed with the intent of sexual assault.

As the trial began, Jang's legal counsel stated that they acknowledge all charges in the indictment filed by the prosecution, which includes rape and murder.

When asked by the court if he agreed with his lawyer's statement, Jang replied briefly, "Yes."

This marks the first time Jang has admitted to the charges of rape and murder since the crime occurred in May.

Previously, Jang had submitted a handwritten statement to the court claiming his innocence and denying the intent of sexual assault. During the first trial held on June 22, he had postponed expressing his position on the charges.

However, during the supplementary investigation, the prosecution enhanced the quality of dashcam footage from the time of the crime, which captured Jang leaving the rear door of his vehicle open and attempting to overpower and drag the late Lee Chae-won into the car.

After reviewing this video with his lawyer following the first trial, Jang admitted to the motive behind the crime.

In today's (July 13) hearing, the prosecution requested to submit additional evidence, including forensic footage of Jang's vehicle—which police had sent late despite the discovery of cable ties—and a scientific investigation report regarding a damaged sex doll.

The victim's family held a press conference just before the trial to demand a severe sentence.

[Mother of the late Lee Chae-won: Please impose the heaviest punishment the law can provide for that devil-like person, which is the death penalty, the maximum sentence allowed by law.]

The family also criticized Jang for showing no genuine remorse, citing a letter of apology he submitted to the court in which he wrote that he "harmed the victim without thinking of the consequences, affecting countless people and stealing a piece of their daily lives."

[Kim Mun-seok / Legal representative for the family of the late Lee Chae-won: It appears he chose that method strategically and typically to seek a lighter sentence by pretending to have shown 'sincere remorse'...]

The third trial, scheduled for July 27, will include witness examinations of the victim's family and acquaintances of Jang Yun-gi.

(Video reporting: Ju Yong-jin | Video editing: Park Ji-in | Graphics: Kim Han-gil, Kim Min-young)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.