[Anchor]

The prosecution has demanded the death penalty, the maximum sentence allowed by law, for Defendant Kim Soyoung in the "serial motel murder" case. While claiming to feel remorse, Kim maintained that she "never planned" the murders, denying any intent to kill until the very end.

Reporter Jeong Jiyeon has the details.

[Reporter]

The sentencing hearing for Defendant Kim Soyoung, who is on trial for a series of drug-related murders, was attended by the family of a victim who died last February.

[Victim's Family Member: Our family's clock has been frozen since that day. The more we witness Kim Soyoung's brazen attitude, the more our anger and heartbreak continue to grow.]

Criticizing the gravity of the crime for taking the lives of individuals who had shown romantic interest, the prosecution stated, "We considered the fact that she has shown no remorse, consistently lying even after the commission of the crimes." Consequently, the prosecution demanded the death penalty, the maximum legal punishment, for Kim Soyoung.

Appearing in court wearing a light green prisoner uniform, Kim stated in her final statement, "I am reflecting on my actions of handing over the drugs, but I never planned to kill anyone."

She then appealed for leniency, saying, "After coming to the detention center, I realized how great of a happiness it was to eat a warm meal next to my mother."

The victim's family repeatedly urged the court to hand down the death penalty as requested by the prosecution.

[Nam Eon-ho / Legal Representative for the Victim's Family: She is making the audacious claim that she never even handed over a drink laced with drugs. Such excuses cause unbearable anger for the bereaved family.]

Kim was arrested and indicted in March on charges of handing out drinks containing benzodiazepine drugs to three men in their twenties between mid-December of last year and February of this year, resulting in the deaths of two and leaving one unconscious.

The first-instance sentencing for Kim Soyoung is scheduled for the 27th.

(Camera Footage: Hangyul | Video Editing: So Ji-hye | Design: Seo Seung-hyun)