Jang Yun-gi, who faces death penalty for killing high school girl, showed no remorse in prison, fellow inmate says

A fellow inmate has said that Jang Yun-gi, 23, who faces the death penalty on charges of killing a high school girl he did not know in downtown Gwangju, showed no sign of remorse after being taken into custody.

According to an MBC report Thursday, a man identified only as A, who was held in the same wing as Jang at Gwangju Prison, came forward with details of conversations the two had during their time there, saying he could not stay silent about Jang's apparent lack of remorse. A, who had been detained on theft charges, said the two were housed in separate cells but spoke through a window on multiple occasions.

A said Jang initially deflected questions from other inmates but, when repeatedly pressed about his motive, brought up a "sexual fantasy."

"When I asked why he killed her, he wouldn't say at first," A said. "When I kept asking, he said his sexual fantasy was like that — minors, schools, middle and high school students, that kind of thing."

A also said that when he asked Jang whether he was indeed Jang Yun-gi, Jang smiled and waved, with no sign of remorse.

Jang was wearing a yellow name tag, which indicates an inmate requiring close monitoring, but reportedly expressed a desire for the red name tag worn by death row inmates.

"He said he would rather get the death penalty than life in prison," A said. "When I asked why, he said the red name tag looks cool and that he was going to live there for the rest of his life." A added that when he told Jang to get a grip, Jang replied that the red name tag was what he wanted and that it would give him status.

Jang was indicted on charges of attempting to sexually assault and then killing a high school girl on a deserted walkway in Wolgye-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, at around 12:10 a.m. on May 5, and of attacking with a knife a male student who ran to the scene after hearing screams.

The indictment also included charges that he raped a female co-worker at his part-time job two days before the killing and secretly filmed the bodies of teenage girls while serving as a social service worker, among other sex crimes.

He was transferred to prosecutors and taken to Gwangju Prison on May 14.

Prosecutors sought the death penalty — the maximum sentence — against Jang on charges including murder in the course of rape on Aug. 31. They also asked the court to order the disclosure of his personal information, completion of a sexual violence treatment program, attachment of an electronic monitoring device for 30 years and probation.

In his final statement, Jang expressed regret toward the victim and pledged to carry the weight of his crime for the rest of his life.

The victim's family said Jang had offered nothing but excuses and deflections throughout the trial and urged the court to hand down a death sentence.

The first-instance sentencing is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sept. 30 at the Gwangju District Court.