Suspect in Chinese student murder had threatened others' graduation; professor had warned him

Jeong Chang-seong, 31, a Chinese lecturer detained on charges of murdering and abandoning the body of a Chinese female international student, had previously pressured another student into a relationship by threatening to prevent her from graduating, it has emerged.

According to Daegu MBC, Jeong repeatedly approached a Chinese female graduate student in the same department at a university in Gyeongsan in September 2023, when he was working there as a lecturer.

He expressed romantic interest in the student within a week of meeting her and continued to contact her after she rejected him, offering to share meals and give her gifts.

When she kept refusing, he relayed a message through another international student threatening to delay or prevent her graduation.

The student said Jeong told her to come to his home if she had any questions while writing her thesis.

The affected students ultimately reported Jeong to the university's international affairs office in October 2023. Their academic adviser called Jeong in and issued a verbal warning at the time.

Even after that, Jeong reportedly sent messages to international students telling them they would receive more attention from their professor if they spent time with him.

Police are investigating whether there are additional victims at the university.

Police have applied five charges against Jeong, including murder, mutilation, abandonment and concealment of a body, and obstruction of official duties by deception. He is set to be transferred to prosecutors in custody on Friday.