← Back to South Korea casesYoo Joong-yeol, Kim Mae-ho, and others Murdered by Oh Tae-hwan, Lee Sung-joon, and others, Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
Case Summary
In 1990, a gang of four criminals, including Oh Tae-hwan, Lee Sung-joon, Yoon Yong-pil, and Shim Hae-sook, committed a series of violent crimes in South Korea. They robbed a newlywed couple in Gangneung, stole their car, and later committed a brutal live burial murder of a family of four in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province. The victims included two elderly sisters, a middle-aged man, and a young girl. The perpetrators were arrested after a police chase and shootout, with Lee Sung-joon found dead after hiding. Shim Hae-sook cooperated with authorities, leading to arrests. The case was tried swiftly during the Roh Tae-woo government's war on crime, resulting in death sentences for the main offenders and a reduced sentence for Shim Hae-sook. The case shocked the nation due to its cruelty and the live burial of the victims.
Basic Information
Country: South Korea
State/Province: Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
City/Region: Yangpyeong
Incident Type: Family Homicide
Relationship Status: Dating
Relationship Duration:
Incident Date: Nov. 9, 1990
Relationship Journey
Relationship Origins:
- Met at school/college/university
- Met at Workplace
- Friends circle
Relationship Stages:
- Dating
Analysis
Contributing Factors:
- Financial Issues
- Drugs / Alchohol Use
- Domestic Conflict
Red Flags:
- Escalation Pattern / Violence
- Missing Suspect
- Threats
- Suicidal Ideation
- Firearm Access / Concerning Weapon Behavior
Motives:
- Money / Financial Gain
- Revenge
- Jealousy
Relationship Outcomes:
- Divorce filed
- Divorce finalized
- Legal case ongoing
- Homicide during marriage
- Arrest made
- Deadbody recovery
People Link Graph
Relationship Journey Graph
Origin
- Met at school/college/university
- Met at Workplace
- Friends circle
How the relationship or connection began.
Status
- Dating
Stages
- Dating
Important relationship phases recorded for this case.
Warning Signals
- Escalation Pattern / Violence
- Missing Suspect
- Threats
- Suicidal Ideation
- Firearm Access / Concerning Weapon Behavior
Reported red flags or early concern points.
Pressure Points
- Financial Issues
- Drugs / Alchohol Use
- Domestic Conflict
- Money / Financial Gain
- Revenge
- Jealousy
Contributing factors and possible motives from the available sources.
Incident
1990-11-09
Outcome
- Divorce filed
- Divorce finalized
- Legal case ongoing
- Homicide during marriage
- Arrest made
- Deadbody recovery
Recorded relationship or case outcome.
Sources
English labels are shown first. Original-language titles are preserved for source verification.
Yoo Joong-yeol, Kim Mae-ho, and others Murdered by Oh Tae-hwan, Lee Sung-joon, and others, Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
김복준의 사건속으로 · Original language: Korean
View original title
[다시보는 대한민국살인사건 55화] - 양평 일가족 생매장 살인사건
AI Intelligence Assessment
Relationship Pattern
Jealousy
Pattern Analysis
The case involves a group of offenders connected through friendships and prison ties, with jealousy and rivalry among them contributing to violent crimes. The offenders committed robbery and escalated to brutal family homicide, including live burial, motivated by financial gain and interpersonal conflicts within their group.
Investigative Notes
The investigation involved multi-jurisdictional cooperation between Incheon, Gangneung, and Daejeon police. Key evidence included stolen vehicles, fingerprints, and witness testimonies. Arrests followed a police chase and shootout. The case was tried swiftly under the war on crime policy, resulting in death sentences and a reduced sentence for a cooperating offender. The live burial aspect was confirmed by autopsy findings.
Investigation Confusion
Initial confusion arose from the abandoned stolen vehicle and the presence of personal documents left inside. The involvement of multiple jurisdictions and overlapping crimes complicated the investigation. The death of one suspect during the manhunt limited full interrogation.
Case Reconstruction / Puzzle Pieces
The gang robbed a newlywed couple in Gangneung, stole their car, and spent the money in Seoul. They planned a second crime, leading to the live burial murder of a family in Yangpyeong. After the crimes, police investigations linked the suspects through vehicle evidence, witness reports, and confessions. A police chase resulted in arrests and the death of one suspect. The case was prosecuted rapidly with multiple convictions.
Risk Assessment
High risk due to prior convictions, weapon possession, drug use, and escalating violent behavior culminating in multiple homicides.
Key Takeaways
Early detection of escalating violence and inter-personal conflicts among criminal associates is critical. Multi-jurisdictional cooperation and thorough evidence collection are essential. The case highlights the dangers of criminal networks with drug use and weapon access. Public tip-offs and witness cooperation can be decisive in apprehending suspects.
AI Case Q&A
What early signals mattered most?
The robbery of the newlywed couple and the suspects' reckless spending of stolen money were early signals of escalating criminal behavior.
Which clues helped connect the case?
Vehicle registration certificates, bankbooks, fingerprints, and witness testimonies helped connect the suspects to the crimes.
Which evidence types appeared strongest?
Physical evidence from stolen vehicles, autopsy reports confirming live burial, and confessions were strongest.
Witness / Eyewitness Statements
A middle school student witnessed the robbery and noted license plates. Park Yang reported suspicious behavior of Shim Hae-sook, leading to arrests. Neighbors reported suspicious activity and sightings during the manhunt.
How did follow-up reports change the understanding?
Follow-up reports revealed the live burial nature of the murders and the involvement of all suspects, including the death of one during the manhunt. Sentencing outcomes and appeals clarified individual roles and sentences.
What remained unclear?
Exact motives behind the live burial and the full extent of each offender's participation remain partially unclear due to the death of one suspect and limited testimony.