In 2013, Ms. Shin, a 40-year-old woman, was killed in an incident staged as a car accident at Dongbaek Island, Busan. Her husband, Mr. Park, conspired with his junior to cause the car to fall into the sea, resulting in her drowning. The motive was to claim a large insurance payout totaling approximately 1.12 billion won. The couple had a complex relationship involving divorce, remarriage, and living apart. Mr. Park was sentenced to 23 years in prison, and his accomplice received 13 years. The marriage was later annulled by the court due to lack of genuine marital intent.
Country: South Korea
State/Province: Busan, South Korea
City/Region: Haeundae District
Incident Type: Murder
Relationship Status: Married
Relationship Duration: Approximately 2 years and 3 months (marriage)
Incident Date: March 4, 2013
Relationship Origins:
Relationship Stages:
Contributing Factors:
Red Flags:
Motives:
Relationship Outcomes:
How the relationship or connection began.
Approximately 2 years and 3 months (marriage)
Important relationship phases recorded for this case.
Reported red flags or early concern points.
Contributing factors and possible motives from the available sources.
2013-03-04
Recorded relationship or case outcome.
English labels are shown first. Original-language titles are preserved for source verification.
김복준의 사건속으로 · Original language: Korean
2013 Busan Insurance-Motivated Murder by Husband
Financial Conflict
The case involved a financially motivated murder disguised as an accident. The husband exploited the victim's trust and financial resources, including insurance policies, and maintained a secret extramarital relationship. The marriage was a facade to claim insurance money, culminating in a planned homicide.
The Busan Maritime Police Station Criminal Investigation Team 1 led the investigation. Suspicious bruises on the victim, unusual involvement of a novice driver, and large insurance payouts raised red flags. Confessions from both the husband and accomplice confirmed the planned murder. The marriage was annulled by the family court. The husband voluntarily waived insurance rights to the victim's uncle and aunt, which increased suspicion.
Initial police hesitation due to insurance policies being taken out years before the incident. Conflicting assumptions about the accident versus murder. The husband's claim of surrender was disputed as he was likely cornered by police.
The victim and husband had a complex relationship involving divorce and remarriage. The husband planned the murder months in advance, involving his junior to drive the car into the sea. The victim was lured to Busan under the pretense of living together again. The staged accident led to the victim's drowning. Police investigation revealed financial motives, extramarital relationship, and premeditation, supported by confessions and evidence.
High risk due to financial exploitation, infidelity, and premeditated violence. The presence of multiple insurance policies with high death benefits and the husband's secret relationship increased risk.
Insurance policies with unusually high death benefits and recent increases can be a warning sign. Complex relationship dynamics involving separation, remarriage, and infidelity may escalate risk. Thorough investigation and cross-checking of financial and relationship backgrounds are critical in suspected insurance-motivated crimes.
Unusual involvement of a novice driver at a dangerous location, large insurance payouts, and the husband's secret extramarital relationship.
Bruises inconsistent with accident, husband's behavior and waiver of insurance rights, confessions from both perpetrators, and recorded insurance subscription conversations.
Autopsy findings, phone records, CCTV footage, insurance contract recordings, confessions, and witness testimonies.
Ms. Shin's uncle and aunt reported no bruises before the incident and expressed suspicion about the husband's actions. The ex-husband expressed sorrow and regret. Police and emergency responders reported the husband's behavior during rescue attempts.
Initial police doubts about insurance motive due to policy dates were overturned by evidence of recent benefit increases and recorded conversations. Confessions confirmed the murder plan.
Exact details of how the victim was incapacitated underwater remain based on witness suspicion rather than confirmed evidence.