← Back to South Korea casesMr. Yoo Murdered by Shim, Kim Joo-jin, and others, Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
Case Summary
On August 21, 2012, in Yongin, South Korea, Mr. Yoo, a 56-year-old real estate businessman, was attacked at his home by two assailants using an electronic shocker and blunt weapons. The attack was a contract killing ordered by real estate developer Park Young-min due to land disputes and financial conflicts. The investigation revealed a complex conspiracy involving multiple suspects, including Park, his younger brother, and intermediaries. Mr. Yoo died from severe head injuries. Park was sentenced to life imprisonment but later committed suicide in prison. The executors, Kim Joo-jin and Jo Wang, were also sentenced to life imprisonment, and the middleman Shim received 13 years. The victim's wife suffered severe trauma, and the case was thoroughly investigated by the Yongin Western Police Station.
Basic Information
Country: South Korea
State/Province: Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
City/Region: Yongin
Incident Type: Murder
Relationship Status: Married
Relationship Duration:
Incident Date: Aug. 21, 2012
Relationship Journey
Relationship Origins:
- Family introduction
Relationship Stages:
- No data available.
Analysis
Contributing Factors:
- Financial Issues
- Divorce / Separation
Red Flags:
- Secretive communication patterns
- Deception after incident
- Escalation Pattern / Violence
- Manipulative behavior
- Missing Suspect
- Threats
- Firearm Access / Concerning Weapon Behavior
Motives:
- Money / Financial Gain
- Revenge
- Property dispute
Relationship Outcomes:
- Legal case ongoing
- Homicide before marriage
- Suicide/self-harm
- Arrest made
- Deadbody recovery
People Link Graph
Relationship Journey Graph
Origin
- Family introduction
How the relationship or connection began.
Status
- Married
Stages
Important relationship phases recorded for this case.
Warning Signals
- Secretive communication patterns
- Deception after incident
- Escalation Pattern / Violence
- Manipulative behavior
- Missing Suspect
- Threats
- Firearm Access / Concerning Weapon Behavior
Reported red flags or early concern points.
Pressure Points
- Financial Issues
- Divorce / Separation
- Money / Financial Gain
- Revenge
- Property dispute
Contributing factors and possible motives from the available sources.
Incident
2012-08-21
Outcome
- Legal case ongoing
- Homicide before marriage
- Suicide/self-harm
- Arrest made
- Deadbody recovery
Recorded relationship or case outcome.
Sources
English labels are shown first. Original-language titles are preserved for source verification.
Mr. Yoo Murdered by Shim, Kim Joo-jin, and others, Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
김복준의 사건속으로 · Original language: Korean
View original title
[다시보는 대한민국살인사건 32화] - 용인 청부 살인사건
AI Intelligence Assessment
Relationship Pattern
Financial Conflict
Pattern Analysis
The murder was a contract killing motivated by financial disputes and land conflicts between the victim and the real estate developer. The attackers used an electronic shocker and blunt weapons in a premeditated assault. The case involved multiple layers of conspiracy, including subcontracting and attempts to evade detection. The victim's family suffered severe trauma, and the investigation revealed complex interpersonal and financial tensions.
Investigative Notes
The investigation was thorough, involving forensic analysis, black box footage, CCTV review, and extensive phone and transaction record analysis. Police identified five main suspects with grudges against the victim and expanded inquiries to 40 acquaintances. The discovery of the electronic shocker and its serial number linked the weapon to the suspects. Arrests and confessions followed, with the main suspect Park Young-min sentenced to life imprisonment before his suicide. The executors and middleman were also convicted. The victim's wife was a key witness but suffered trauma.
Investigation Confusion
Initial uncertainty about the identity of the attackers due to obscured faces and lack of direct evidence. Suspects initially denied involvement or lied about possession of weapons. The subcontracting nature of the crime complicated direct attribution. The police initially accepted some denials until evidence such as recordings and recovered weapons emerged.
Case Reconstruction / Puzzle Pieces
Mr. Yoo and his wife left home on August 21, 2012, to meet a business contact. After failing to meet, they returned home where two attackers ambushed Mr. Yoo using an electronic shocker and blunt weapons. The attackers fled after the wife escaped and called for help. Police investigation revealed the attack was ordered by real estate developer Park Young-min due to land and financial disputes. Park subcontracted the killing to Shim, who further subcontracted to Kim Joo-jin and Jo Wang. Evidence included black box footage, recovered weapons, phone records, and a recorded confession. Arrests and trials led to convictions and sentences.
Risk Assessment
High risk due to premeditation, use of weapons, and involvement of multiple conspirators with criminal backgrounds. The financial and property disputes escalated to lethal violence, indicating severe conflict and potential for further retaliatory acts.
Key Takeaways
Financial and property disputes can escalate to lethal violence involving contract killings. Thorough forensic and digital investigations are critical in uncovering complex conspiracies. Witness trauma must be considered in investigations. The use of specialized weapons like electronic shockers indicates premeditation. Confessions and recorded evidence can be decisive in prosecution.
AI Case Q&A
What early signals mattered most?
The victim's known financial and land disputes, presence of grudges, and suspicious communications among suspects were early signals.
Which clues helped connect the case?
Black box footage, recovered electronic shocker and batteries, phone call and message records, and the wife's eyewitness testimony were key clues.
Which evidence types appeared strongest?
Physical evidence from the crime scene, electronic shocker serial numbers, forensic analysis, recorded confessions, and digital communication logs were strongest.
Witness / Eyewitness Statements
The victim's wife witnessed the attack and provided crucial testimony despite trauma. A nearby man responded to her screams and assisted. No other witness statements were reported.
How did follow-up reports change the understanding?
Follow-up investigations revealed the involvement of multiple suspects, uncovered the subcontracting chain, and led to arrests and convictions. The discovery of the electronic shocker and recorded confession significantly advanced the case.
What remained unclear?
The identity of the second unknown executor initially remained unclear until later arrest. The full extent of all accomplices and their roles may not be completely detailed.