On January 22, 2015, Choi Ji-eun was found dead after ingesting cyanide-laced soju. Her husband, Park Young-woo, and his mistress, Kim Soo-min, were involved in a complex relationship marked by infidelity and conflict. Kim was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. The case involved a prolonged extramarital affair, financial transactions to appease the mistress, and a toxic relationship dynamic culminating in Choi's poisoning.
Country: South Korea
State/Province: None
City/Region:
Incident Type: Murder
Relationship Status: Married
Relationship Duration: Approximately 7 years (marriage)
Incident Date: Jan. 22, 2015
Relationship Origins:
Relationship Stages:
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How the relationship or connection began.
Approximately 7 years (marriage)
Important relationship phases recorded for this case.
Reported red flags or early concern points.
Contributing factors and possible motives from the available sources.
2015-01-22
Recorded relationship or case outcome.
English labels are shown first. Original-language titles are preserved for source verification.
사건의뢰 · Original language: English
Poisoning murder involving husband, wife, and mistress
Jealousy
The case centers on a married couple with a prolonged extramarital affair involving the husband and mistress. The mistress's aggressive behavior and refusal to end the affair, combined with the wife's efforts to preserve the family for their daughter, created escalating conflict. Jealousy and attempts to eliminate the romantic rival culminated in the wife's poisoning and death.
Police investigation revealed cyanide poisoning with chemical evidence from the soju bottle and autopsy. Mistress Kim Soo-min was arrested after fleeing and was convicted of murder with life imprisonment. Polygraph tests indicated deception by Kim. Evidence included purchase attempts of cyanide, internet searches on poisoning methods, and CCTV footage contradicting mistress's claims.
Initial claims by husband and mistress that the death was suicide created uncertainty. Both denied involvement initially. Suspicion shifted primarily to the mistress due to circumstantial evidence and polygraph results. No direct evidence of cyanide being added was found, but strong indirect evidence implicated Kim.
Choi Ji-eun discovered the affair and warned the mistress to stop contacting her husband. Mistress Kim became anxious and aggressive, eventually deciding to kill Choi. On the night of January 21, 2015, Kim visited Choi's home with cyanide-laced soju and almonds. Choi consumed the poisoned drink and was found in cardiac arrest early January 22. Kim fled after taking Choi to the hospital but was later arrested. Investigation confirmed cyanide poisoning and Kim's involvement through behavioral evidence and polygraph tests.
High risk due to ongoing infidelity, aggressive mistress behavior, financial transactions to appease the mistress, and escalating threats culminating in lethal violence.
Persistent extramarital affairs with aggressive third parties can escalate to lethal violence. Financial settlements may not resolve underlying conflicts. Behavioral inconsistencies and forensic evidence are critical in uncovering truth in poisoning cases. The impact on children and family is profound and lasting.
Mistress's aggressive behavior, attempts to reveal affair, refusal to end relationship, and suspicious purchase of cyanide.
CCTV footage of mistress using elevator despite claiming claustrophobia, polygraph test results, chemical analysis of soju bottle, internet search history on cyanide poisoning.
Forensic toxicology detecting cyanide, polygraph tests indicating deception, CCTV recordings, financial transaction records, and witness testimonies.
Not reported.
Follow-up reports confirmed mistress's guilt and increased sentence from 25 years to life imprisonment. No additional suspects emerged.
No direct evidence of cyanide being added to the drink was found; exact moment and method remain inferred.