Lecturer who killed Chinese student posted class notice day before arrest; identity disclosure decision due this week

A Chinese university lecturer detained on charges of killing a Chinese female student enrolled in his class and dismembering her body calmly prepared for the next semester's classes after the crime, it has emerged. Police are also expected to decide this week whether to publicly disclose the suspect's identity, given the brutality of the case.

The suspect, identified only by his surname Jeong, 31, posted a notice about next semester's class schedule in a university group chat in Gyeongsan, North Gyeongsang Province, at around 9:30 p.m. on Monday — one day before his arrest, according to Channel A and other media reports.

The courses Jeong taught included neuroanatomy and rehabilitation-related subjects. The notice was reportedly written in both hangul and Chinese. He had been preparing for classes as usual even after killing the victim and dismembering and disposing of her body.

Jeong also told Chinese acquaintances who were searching for the missing victim via social media that he had reported her disappearance to police.

Jeong is accused of killing a 25-year-old Chinese female student, identified only as A, in his studio apartment in Hayang-eup, Gyeongsan, in the early hours of Aug. 20, then dismembering her body and disposing of the remains at multiple locations across the country.

He also faces charges of obstruction of official duties through deception — allegedly filing a false police report to mislead investigators, dressing in women's clothing and traveling to Dongdaegu Station while carrying the victim's mobile phone, then switching it off.

Jeong was apprehended in Hayang-eup, Gyeongsan at around 7:29 p.m. on Tuesday.

Police believe Jeong disposed of the dismembered remains at multiple locations nationwide and continued search operations over the past weekend, recovering additional body parts. The search is focused on Gyeonggi Province and Gyeongju in North Gyeongsang Province, based on Jeong's movements and statements.

Police plan to convene an identity disclosure committee this week to deliberate on whether to release Jeong's personal information, citing the severity of the crime. The exact date and time of the meeting has not been announced.

Even if a disclosure decision is made, Jeong would have a five-day grace period to file an objection, meaning the actual release of his identity could take additional time. Police also plan to transfer Jeong to prosecutors this week, taking into account the detention period.

Police are also reportedly reviewing whether to conduct a psychopathy assessment on Jeong again.