A man in his 30s suspected of murdering a Japanese national he was acquainted with has been taken into custody.

Judge Noh Seung-wook, the warrant judge at the Cheonan Branch of the Daejeon District Court, issued an arrest warrant for the suspect, referred to as A, in his 30s, after holding a pre-trial detention hearing (warrant substantive examination) starting at around 11:00 AM today (October 30).

Judge Noh stated the reason for issuing the warrant, citing concerns that the suspect might flee.

Earlier today, A arrived at the Cheonan Branch for the hearing wearing a hat pulled down low and a white mask covering his face.

When reporters asked questions such as "What was your motive for the crime?" and "Aren't you sorry to the victim?" he kept his head bowed and did not answer.

A is accused of attacking and killing a woman in her 20s of Japanese nationality, referred to as B, with a weapon at around 4:20 PM on October 28 inside an officetel in Dujeong-dong, Seobuk-gu, Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, and then fleeing.

Investigations showed that A visited B's residence carrying a weapon he had prepared in advance and attacked her, and that B had made a phone call to an acquaintance for help at the time.

The police, responding to a report from B's acquaintance, tracked A's escape routes and arrested him at around 1:06 AM on October 29 at a lodging facility in Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, North Jeolla Province.

According to the police investigation, the two knew each other and had met twice this year, but were not in a romantic relationship.

It was also confirmed that there was no history of stalking-related reports.

During police questioning, A reportedly stated, "I suffered losses from failed stock investments and saw no future, so I decided to die. I was scared to die alone, and B, someone I knew, came to mind, so I tried to die together with her."

(Photo provided by reader, Yonhap News)