Family of Cheonan Air Conditioner Technician Killed by Tenant Demands Severe Punishment

"He was a man who worked himself to the bone just to keep his wife, who is battling cancer, and his daughter with an intellectual disability alive. How could this happen to someone whose only joy in life was going to church..."

The bereaved family and a colleague of 69-year-old A, an air conditioner installation technician who was stabbed to death by a tenant with a weapon, have called for strict punishment against the perpetrator.

A's 65-year-old wife cried out on the 22nd, claiming, "Contrary to what was initially reported, my husband did not get into a verbal argument or physical scuffle with the suspect. He was killed unilaterally." She added, "The suspect is claiming self-defense, but that is not true."

A was stabbed and killed by a tenant in his 50s, identified as B, with a weapon while visiting a multi-family housing unit in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, to install an air conditioner at around 2:40 p.m. on the 3rd.

According to A's 74-year-old colleague who witnessed the crime, B hurled ceaseless verbal abuse and insults for about 15 to 20 minutes from the time they arrived at the home until the weapon was used.

When they could no longer endure the excessive slander and attempted to leave, B abruptly ordered A to wipe something stained on the floor inside the house. A refused, stating that he was not the one who caused the stain and could not clean it, according to the accounts.

A's colleague claimed, "B had also been having conflicts with the landlord that day over the air conditioner installation. As soon as we arrived, he kept picking fights." The colleague added, "The interior was already messy to begin with, and since the air conditioner packaging hadn't even been opened, no work had been done that would have stained the floor."

Enraged by A's attempt to pack his things and leave without cleaning the floor, B rushed to the kitchen near the front door, grabbed a weapon, and stabbed A in the chest and abdomen three times in an instant.

The colleague explained that although A, who had been stabbed, swung a tool he was carrying, it was closer to a defensive action to deter B's additional attacks.

The colleague maintained this claim during four rounds of reference witness questioning by the police and prosecutors until recently, testifying that there were no arguments or physical scuffles that could have served as a motive for murder.

However, it was confirmed that B told investigative authorities that A attacked first and has repeatedly claimed self-defense.

The police conducted relevant investigations, including a forensic scene inspection and bloodstain pattern analysis, and concluded that B's statement lacked credibility before forwarding the case to the prosecution.

The bereaved family of A has repeatedly urged authorities to conduct a thorough investigation so that B receives punishment commensurate with his crime.

A, approaching 70 years of age, worked as a freelance air conditioner installation technician while shouldering the family's livelihood by caring for his mid-30s daughter, whose mental age is that of a 4-year-old, and his wife, who has been battling colon cancer for 10 years.

He was known to be deeply religious and fiercely devoted to both his daughter living with him and his son who had moved out.

Despite being busy day and night due to tight household finances, going to church every Sunday was virtually his only solace, according to his family.

The surviving family, facing immediate livelihood difficulties due to disabilities and illnesses, is expressing extreme anxiety and psychological distress.

One bereaved family member pleaded, "Claiming self-defense after committing murder is an insult to the deceased, who lived a faithful life, and an unpardonable insult to the surviving family members who are walking through hell every day. Please help ensure that the perpetrator receives severe punishment."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.