Man who attacked drunken brother with machete sentenced to 3½ years

A man who attacked his older brother with a machete in an attempt to kill him has been sentenced to prison.

Busan District Court's Criminal Division 6, presided over by Judge Im Seong-cheol, sentenced A, a man in his 50s, to three years and six months in prison on Wednesday on charges of attempted murder and violating the Act on the Safety Management of Firearms, Swords, Explosives and Other Dangerous Articles.

A was indicted on charges of attempting to kill his older brother, B, a man in his 60s, by repeatedly striking him with a bladed weapon at A's home at around 10:10 p.m. on April 15.

According to the ruling, A had long harbored resentment toward his brother, who would show up unannounced while drunk and hurl abuse at him. In December last year, the two came to blows over the management of their mother's basic old-age pension.

During that altercation, B choked A, leaving him fearing for his life. A then resolved to kill his brother if conflict arose again, and kept a machete, a golf club and a baseball bat in his room in preparation.

On the day of the attack, B arrived drunk and began shouting obscenities. A struck him in the face before retrieving the machete from his room and swinging it at him.

B survived by shielding himself with his hands and arms, but sustained serious injuries, including a broken bone in his hand and torn ligaments and muscles.

A was also found guilty of possessing the machete without police authorization.

"The attack could have been fatal, and the injuries sustained by the victim were severe, making the defendant's culpability very grave," the court said. "However, the court took into account in sentencing that the crime did not result in death, that the defendant reached a settlement with the victim who no longer wishes to see him punished, and that he has no prior criminal record beyond a single fine."