Man arrested for killing teen who reported his son for sex crime

A man in his 50s has been arrested in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, on suspicion of killing a teenage girl who had filed a sex crime complaint against his son earlier this year.

According to the Seongbuk Police Station, officers arrested the suspect, identified only as A, at around 1:40 a.m. Wednesday in Jeongneung-dong, Seongbuk-gu, on suspicion of killing the victim, identified only as B.

The killing took place at a lodging facility, not at a residence or a victim protection shelter. Police responded after receiving a report from a third party unrelated to either the suspect or the victim. The identity of the caller and the circumstances of the report have not been disclosed. A was found to be heavily intoxicated at the time of arrest.

B had filed a sex crime complaint in January against A's son, who is in his 20s. The Nowon Police Station, which handled that case, referred the son to prosecutors without detention in March.

Reports have emerged that A committed the crime after B refused a settlement demand related to the son's sex crime case. However, police said the specific motive — including whether any such demand was made — has not yet been confirmed.

"Details such as any prior relationship between the suspect and the victim's family, or any settlement demand, have not been confirmed," a Seongbuk Police Station official said. Police are investigating the relationship between A and the victim, as well as the motive and circumstances of the crime, and are reviewing whether to seek an arrest warrant.