Jang Yun-gi admits to premeditated killing at first hearing, says he plans to earn certifications in prison

Jang Yun-gi, 23, the man accused of killing a high school girl in Gwangju, admitted Monday at his first hearing at the Gwangju District Court that the crime was premeditated, but withheld his position on whether the killing was committed for the purpose of rape. He also wrote in a handwritten statement that he intends to earn professional certifications while in prison — a disclosure that drew audible sighs in the courtroom. Civic groups including the Gwangju-Jeonnam Women's Organizations Alliance urged the court to impose the maximum sentence.

Criminal Division 13 of the Gwangju District Court, presided over by Chief Judge Lee Jeong-ho, heard the first session of the trial against Jang on Monday. Jang was indicted on charges of rape-murder and other offenses under the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes, according to Yonhap News Agency and legal sources.

Jang's court-appointed defense attorney told the court that the defendant acknowledges all charges in the indictment, but said further consultation with his client was needed on whether the murder was committed for the purpose of rape. A final position would be submitted at the next hearing, the attorney said.

Jang, dressed in a pale ochre short-sleeved prison uniform, responded "Yes, that is correct" when the presiding judge asked whether he agreed with his attorney's statement.

When asked whether he wished to have a jury trial, Jang answered "No."

The main criminal courtroom at the Gwangju District Court, packed with reporters and spectators, fell into heavy silence as prosecutors read out the summary of charges, particularly during passages describing the brutal details of the crime.

A collective sigh reportedly swept through the courtroom when the victim's attorney disclosed that Jang had written in a handwritten statement submitted to the court that he planned to obtain professional certifications "from time to time" while serving his sentence.

The legal representative for the victim, Lee Chae-won, 16, said the handwritten statement showed Jang was denying the rape motive. "The victim's time stopped forever at 16, while he is making plans for his future," the attorney said.

The attorney also told the court that the charges alone showed the crime had been deliberately planned, and asked the court to consider that as a factor warranting a heavier sentence.

The court plans to hold three or four additional hearings to continue examining evidence and questioning witnesses.

The next hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on July 13.

Civic groups including the Gwangju-Jeonnam Women's Organizations Alliance held a press conference Monday at the main gate of the Gwangju District Court, urging the court to hand down the maximum sentence to Jang.

Jang was indicted on charges of attempting to abduct Lee for the purpose of sexual assault at around 12:10 a.m. on May 5 on a secluded pedestrian path in Wolge-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, and stabbing her to death when the attempt failed.

He also faces charges of wielding a knife at a 17-year-old male high school student who tried to help the victim at the scene, and of stalking and sexually assaulting a 26-year-old Vietnamese woman who was a coworker at his part-time job.

The indictment also reportedly includes charges that Jang secretly photographed the thighs and other body parts of a middle school girl on seven separate occasions between June and July last year, while serving as a social service worker at a community children's center.

코요태 빽가 “삼성전자 100주, 8만원에 매수”…1년 새 ‘대박’, 수익률이 무려

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