Family of Victim in Gyeongsan Murder Case Alleges Police Negligence in Initial Response

Allegations have been raised regarding inadequate initial police response following a case on July 4 in which a man in his 20s was brutally murdered by his friend at an apartment in Gyeongsan, North Gyeongsang Province.

The police have refuted these claims, stating they are not true.

In a statement released to the media yesterday (July 13), the bereaved family claimed that the suspect, identified as A (in his 20s), left the crime scene naked and covered in blood around 4:00 a.m. on July 4. They alleged that although the suspect wandered the streets for about an hour and encountered a patrol car, the police failed to immediately apprehend him.

The family added that about an hour later, A returned to the crime scene, where he was subdued by friends of the victim after a struggle. They claimed the police arrived late and only secured the suspect at 5:20 a.m.

The family further argued that the arrest was delayed even at the scene and demanded a thorough investigation into the police response at the time.

The family also emphasized that had the victim's friends not held the suspect, there could have been additional harm or destruction of evidence.

In response, the police countered, "The officers encountered the suspect on the street at 4:25 a.m. Seeing him naked and covered in blood, they judged him to be involved in an incident and ordered him to stop, but he fled." They added, "The suspect disappeared, and officers were in the process of tracking him by following the bloodstains."

The police further explained, "Officers arrived at the crime scene at 4:46 a.m. and made the arrest at 4:57 a.m. While following the bloodstains, the officers identified the apartment building as the crime scene. While they were searching from the first floor, a second report was received at 4:35 a.m. stating that a victim had died on an upper floor, and they proceeded there immediately."

Meanwhile, the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency has decided to disclose the identity of the suspect, A (in his 20s), who was arrested on charges of murder for brutally killing his friend with a weapon, on July 16.

Previously, the police held a committee meeting on identity disclosure on July 10 and decided to release the information after comprehensively considering the brutality of the crime, the severity of the damage, the availability of sufficient evidence, and the public interest, such as crime prevention.

However, as A filed an objection to the disclosure decision, his identity will be posted on the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency website for 30 days starting at 9:00 a.m. on July 16, following a five-day grace period.

A is accused of brutally murdering his friend, B (in his 20s), by stabbing him multiple times with a weapon at his apartment in Hayang-eup, Gyeongsan, on July 7.

(Photo: Provided by Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.