In February 2024, a man in his 20s named Kim began stalking his girlfriend, a junior from middle school, in Jayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. He excessively controlled her by tracking her location via an app, isolating her from friends and family, and manipulating her with threats of self-harm and suicide. Despite her attempts to break up, he coerced her repeatedly. On the 99th day of their relationship, he killed her with a weapon he had pre-purchased and then attempted suicide but survived. The victim died. The prosecution requested life imprisonment, but the court sentenced Kim to 20 years, with both sides appealing. The case is under appellate review.
Country: South Korea
State/Province: None
City/Region: Gwangjin-gu
Incident Type: Domestic Violence Homicide
Relationship Status: Dating
Relationship Duration: Approximately 3 months
Incident Date: None
Relationship Origins:
Relationship Stages:
Contributing Factors:
Red Flags:
Motives:
Relationship Outcomes:
How the relationship or connection began.
Approximately 3 months
Important relationship phases recorded for this case.
Reported red flags or early concern points.
Contributing factors and possible motives from the available sources.
Recorded relationship or case outcome.
English labels are shown first. Original-language titles are preserved for source verification.
사건의뢰 · Original language: Korean
Stalking and murder of girlfriend in Gwangjin-gu
Domestic Violence
The offender exhibited classic stalking and coercive control behaviors including location tracking, isolating the victim from social contacts, gaslighting, and threats of self-harm to manipulate and maintain control. The victim repeatedly attempted to break up but was coerced back by threats and emotional manipulation. The escalation culminated in lethal violence.
The offender was arrested and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment. The prosecution requested life imprisonment and 30 years, both sides appealed, and the case is under appellate review. The court recognized the stalking and coercive control pattern. Evidence included victim and witness statements, weapon possession, and digital tracking records.
No significant confusion reported. The offender survived a suicide attempt after the homicide and self-reported. The case facts and offender identity are clear.
The offender began stalking in February 2024, controlling the victim's movements and social contacts. The victim tried to break up multiple times but was manipulated by threats of self-harm and harm to her family. The offender pre-purchased a weapon and repeatedly threatened suicide and violence. On the 99th day of dating, he lured her to his home, killed her with the weapon, then attempted suicide. He survived and was arrested. The victim died. The prosecution sought a harsher sentence than the initial 20 years given.
High risk due to repeated threats, stalking, coercive control, weapon possession, and escalation to homicide. Prior self-harm threats were used manipulatively to maintain control, increasing danger to the victim.
Typical stalking and coercive control behaviors include location tracking, social isolation, gaslighting, and threats of self-harm. Victims may feel trapped by guilt and manipulation. Early intervention and recognition of these patterns are critical to prevent escalation to lethal violence.
Excessive location tracking, isolation from friends and family, repeated threats of self-harm and suicide, controlling victim's appearance and social contacts.
Victim's repeated break-up attempts, offender's pre-purchase and display of weapon, digital evidence of tracking, threats to victim and her family.
Victim and witness statements, digital tracking app records, weapon possession, offender's self-report after suicide attempt.
Not reported.
Initial sentence was 20 years; prosecution requested life imprisonment and 30 years. Both sides appealed, leading to ongoing appellate trial.
Final appellate sentence outcome is pending.