Park Ji-young and Park Ji-young's Husband Allegedly Kidnapped by Kim Su-hwan, Tongyeong, South Korea
This source-based behavioral analysis does not establish a clinical diagnosis, motive, or legal finding.
This case involves complex relationship dynamics marked by infidelity, jealousy, and escalating violence culminating in murder and kidnapping. The perpetrator's impulsive aggression and possessiveness reflect deep emotional disturbances and control issues within the extramarital affair context.
Park Ji-young maintained simultaneous relationships with her husband and Kim Su-hwan, causing ongoing conflict and emotional turmoil. The husband's refusal to divorce and the mistress's indecision created a volatile environment. Kim Su-hwan exhibited possessiveness and control, reacting violently to perceived betrayal and loss of control over Park Ji-young.
The pathway to violence began with infidelity and unresolved marital conflict, escalated by Kim Su-hwan's violent assault on Park Ji-young, followed by her reconciliation with her husband. This triggered Kim's impulsive murder of the husband and kidnapping of Park Ji-young, reflecting a rapid escalation from emotional distress to lethal violence.
Each entry separates the reported behavior or state from the analytical strength of the available narration.
| Behavior / construct | Person / subject | Detailed case context | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jealousy Emotional state | Kim Su-hwan SuspectHusband of the offender |
Kim Su-hwan's jealousy intensified as Park Ji-young oscillated between her husband and him, leading to aggressive behaviors including stalking, threats, and ultimately stabbing the husband. Context or trigger: Perceived betrayal by Park Ji-young's continued contact with her husband Reported expression: Anger, repeated calls, threats, and violent assault culminating in murder |
Explicitly reported Confidence: High |
| Impulsive aggression Planning or impulsivity | Kim Su-hwan SuspectHusband of the offender |
Kim Su-hwan, intoxicated and enraged, drove at high speed to the victim's home and stabbed him multiple times in a brief, violent episode. Context or trigger: Drunken state and emotional distress after failed breakup Reported expression: Sudden stabbing attack with a sashimi knife |
Explicitly reported Confidence: High |
| Coercive control Control dynamics | Kim Su-hwan SuspectHusband of the offender |
After killing the husband, Kim Su-hwan forcibly took Park Ji-young, controlled her movements, and resisted her attempts to flee or call for help. Context or trigger: Kidnapping Park Ji-young after murder Reported expression: Dragging her forcibly, confinement in motel, preventing escape |
Explicitly reported Confidence: High |
| Marital dissatisfaction Relationship stressor | Park Ji-young VictimWife of the victim |
The couple experienced prolonged conflict with Park Ji-young seeking divorce and the husband refusing, leading to a fragile and tense relationship. Context or trigger: Ongoing conflicts and divorce threats Reported expression: Repeated disputes, threats of divorce, and unstable living arrangements |
Explicitly reported Confidence: High |
| Withdrawal or reduced functioning Behavioral pattern | Park Ji-young VictimWife of the victim |
Following the assault, Park Ji-young decided to end the relationship with Kim Su-hwan and return to her husband, indicating a withdrawal from the abusive relationship. Context or trigger: After violent assault by Kim Su-hwan Reported expression: Decision to break up and seek reconciliation with husband |
Explicitly reported Confidence: Moderate |
| Family opposition or interference Family dynamics | Park Ji-young VictimWife of the victim |
Park Ji-young occasionally stayed at her older sister's home, indicating reliance on family support amid relationship turmoil. Context or trigger: Seeking refuge at older sister's house Reported expression: Using family support as a safe place during conflict |
Explicitly reported Confidence: Moderate |
| Deception or concealment Behavioral pattern | Park Ji-young VictimWife of the victim |
Park Ji-young lived between two homes, unable to let go of either relationship, contributing to the complex dynamics and jealousy. Context or trigger: Maintaining dual residences and relationships Reported expression: Going back and forth between husband's home and Kim Su-hwan's home |
Explicitly reported Confidence: High |
| Rumination or fixation Cognitive pattern | Kim Su-hwan SuspectHusband of the offender |
Kim Su-hwan repeatedly called both Park Ji-young and her husband, expressing anger and threats, indicating obsessive fixation on the relationship conflict. Context or trigger: Repeated calls and threats to victim and mistress Reported expression: Persistent focus on controlling Park Ji-young and confronting husband |
Narrative-supported psychological state Confidence: High |
| Dependency or attachment insecurity Attachment-related behavior | Kim Su-hwan SuspectHusband of the offender |
Kim Su-hwan exhibited possessiveness, perceiving Park Ji-young as his property and reacting with rage when she maintained contact with her husband. Context or trigger: Desire to possess Park Ji-young exclusively Reported expression: Viewing Park as possession and reacting violently to loss |
Analytical inference Confidence: Moderate |
| Emotional escalation Escalation | Kim Su-hwan SuspectHusband of the offender |
Following rejection and intoxication, Kim Su-hwan's emotional state escalated quickly, culminating in the stabbing of the husband. Context or trigger: Drinking and rejection by Park Ji-young Reported expression: Rapid increase in anger leading to violent attack |
Explicitly reported Confidence: High |
| Help-seeking or disclosure Coping response | Park Ji-young VictimWife of the victim |
While confined in a motel, Park Ji-young tried to negotiate with Kim Su-hwan to resolve the situation and be released. Context or trigger: During kidnapping and confinement Reported expression: Attempted to persuade Kim Su-hwan to release her and return to Tongyeong |
Explicitly reported Confidence: Moderate |
Select a stage to expand it; scroll horizontally to follow the full sequence.
Park Ji-young met Kim Su-hwan through an acquaintance in October 2022 and began an extramarital affair.
Park Ji-young and her husband had ongoing conflicts with threats of divorce, but the husband refused to separate.
On May 3, 2023, Kim Su-hwan assaulted Park Ji-young violently while intoxicated, prompting her decision to break up.
On May 4, Park Ji-young reconciled with her husband, agreeing to live together and end the affair.
On May 5, Kim Su-hwan, enraged and intoxicated, stabbed the husband multiple times and kidnapped Park Ji-young.
Police tracked the suspect's vehicle via CCTV and toll gates, leading to his arrest in Yeongcheon within four hours.
In November 2023, Kim Su-hwan was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder and kidnapping.
Arrows show the sequence described in the source narrative; they do not prove that one psychological state caused the next event.
Analysis is limited by lack of direct psychological evaluations and reliance on reported behaviors and statements. The mistress's internal psychological state and motivations are not fully detailed. The perpetrator's psychopathy tendencies are suggested but not clinically confirmed.