[Anchor]

The prosecution has demanded the death penalty—the maximum sentence under the law—for Kim So-young, the defendant in the "drug serial murder case" that claimed the lives of two men in their 20s. While expressing remorse, Kim continued to deny any intent to murder, maintaining that the crimes were never planned.

Reporter Jeong Jiyeon has the details.

[Reporter]

The final sentencing hearing, where the prosecution delivered its sentencing recommendation for Kim So-young, was attended by the family of a victim who died last February.

[Victim's Family Member: Our family's clock has stopped since that day. The more we witness Kim So-young's shameless attitude, the more our anger and heartbreak continue to grow.]

Criticizing the defendant, the prosecution stated, "The nature of the crime is grave, as she took the lives of individuals who expressed affection toward her." Taking into account that the defendant has shown no remorse, consistently lying even after the crimes, the prosecution demanded the death penalty, the maximum legal punishment, for Kim.

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

Appealing for leniency, Kim said, "Since coming to the detention center, I've realized what a great happiness it was to eat a warm meal next to my mother."

The victims' bereaved families repeatedly urged the court to hand down the death penalty as requested by the prosecution.

[Nam Eon-ho / Legal Representative for the Victims' Families: She is making the audacious claim that she never even handed over drinks laced with drugs. Such excuses cause unbearable anger for the bereaved families.]

Kim was indicted and detained in March on charges of handing out drinks laced with benzodiazepine drugs to three men in their 20s from mid-December of last year to February of this year, resulting in the deaths of two and leaving one unconscious.

The first-instance sentencing for Kim is scheduled for August 27.

(Video reporting: Hangyul, Video editing: So Ji-hye, Design: Seo Seung-hyun)