Man in His 50s Referred for Prosecution for Robbery-Homicide in Gangbuk-gu Officetel Murder

A man in his 50s apprehended for murdering a woman at an officetel in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, has been transferred to prosecutors.

Seoul Gangbuk Police Station announced today (the 7th) that they have transferred a man in his 50s surnamed Na, who faces charges including robbery-homicide and violations of the Narcotics Control Act, to the Northern District Prosecutors Office in Seoul.

Na was emergency arrested on July 28 on charges of swinging a weapon and fatally stabbing a woman in her 50s inside an officetel room in Suyu-dong, Gangbuk-gu.

Although Na was initially charged with murder, police changed the charge to robbery-homicide after analyzing his financial account transaction history, the crime scene and surrounding circumstances, and seized items, concluding that he had the intent to steal the victim's valuables.

It was understood that Na is denying these allegations.

Substances presumed to be narcotics were also discovered at the crime scene.

It was confirmed that marijuana and methamphetamine components were detected through a preliminary reagent test on Na and an emergency appraisal by the National Forensic Service.

The results of the detailed appraisal have not yet been returned.

Na was also charged with trespassing and violating the Control of Firearms, Swords, Explosives, Etc. Act.

Circumstances indicated that Na entered the victim's home after the crime, and a weapon possessed without a permit was found at the crime scene.

Police investigations revealed that Na and the victim were acquaintances who had known each other prior to the incident.

It was revealed that Na has a past record of 15 sexual violence offenses against children and adolescents under the age of 13, for which he was previously ordered to wear a location-tracking electronic device.

Police had considered applying the charge of rape-murder to Na, but reportedly found no circumstances related to a sexual crime concerning this offense during the investigation so far.

A police official stated, "We plan to continue necessary supplementary investigations in cooperation with the prosecution even after the referral."

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