Choi Ji-eun was found dead from cyanide poisoning after meeting with her husband's mistress, Kim. The husband, Park Young-woo, had an ongoing affair with Kim, who was aggressive in the relationship. After Choi discovered the affair and tried to maintain the family for their daughter, Kim became enraged when Park attempted to break up with her. Kim was arrested and convicted for poisoning Choi with cyanide-laced soju. The case involved complex relationship dynamics including infidelity, manipulation, and financial transactions. Kim received a life sentence and is currently imprisoned.
Country: South Korea
State/Province: None
City/Region: Seoul
Incident Type: Murder
Relationship Status: Married
Relationship Duration: 7 years
Incident Date: Jan. 21, 2015
Relationship Origins:
Relationship Stages:
Contributing Factors:
Red Flags:
Motives:
Relationship Outcomes:
How the relationship or connection began.
7 years
Important relationship phases recorded for this case.
Reported red flags or early concern points.
Contributing factors and possible motives from the available sources.
2015-01-21
Recorded relationship or case outcome.
English labels are shown first. Original-language titles are preserved for source verification.
사건의뢰 · Original language: Korean
Poisoning murder involving a husband, wife, and mistress
Jealousy
The case centers on a marital relationship disrupted by an extramarital affair. The mistress aggressively pursued the married man, leading to conflict and manipulation. The wife attempted to preserve the family for their daughter despite the affair. Jealousy and revenge motives escalated to lethal violence by the mistress, who poisoned the wife. Financial transactions and family pressure complicated the dynamics.
Police investigation revealed cyanide poisoning with forensic evidence from the victim's stomach and the soju bottle. Surveillance footage contradicted mistress's claims. Mistress was arrested after fleeing and attempting to hide evidence. Polygraph tests indicated deception. Mistress's internet searches and purchase attempts of cyanide supported charges. The husband was shocked by mistress's accusations but no direct evidence implicated him. Mistress was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Initial confusion over who administered the poison; both husband and mistress suspected. Mistress attempted to shift blame to husband. Lack of direct evidence of cyanide placement delayed confirmation. Husband's delayed hospital call and presence with mistress raised suspicion but no charges reported against him.
Choi Ji-eun discovered husband's affair with Kim after a school reunion. Despite attempts to maintain family, Kim's aggressive behavior and refusal to break up led to conflict. Kim planned and executed poisoning with cyanide-laced soju brought to Choi's home. After Choi collapsed, husband and mistress took her to hospital. Mistress fled after incident but was later arrested. Forensic and digital evidence linked Kim to cyanide procurement and poisoning. Trials resulted in life sentence for Kim.
High risk due to ongoing affair, aggressive mistress behavior, financial disputes, and escalating threats culminating in murder.
Affairs with aggressive partners can escalate to lethal violence. Financial settlements may not resolve conflicts. Surveillance and forensic evidence are critical in poisoning cases. Psychological evaluations can reveal manipulative personality traits. Family and children complicate decisions around separation and conflict resolution.
Mistress's aggressive pursuit of the married man, deliberate attempts to reveal affair to wife, refusal to accept breakup, and sending provocative photos.
CCTV footage showing mistress's contradictory behavior, blood stains on pillow, cyanide detected in stomach and soju bottle, mistress's internet searches on cyanide murder methods.
Forensic toxicology confirming cyanide, CCTV surveillance, polygraph test results indicating deception, digital evidence of cyanide purchase attempts.
Not reported.
Initial suspicion included both husband and mistress; later evidence and confession led to mistress's conviction. No further updates on husband's legal status.
Exact moment and method of cyanide administration remain unconfirmed; husband's potential involvement remains unclear.