"Please Don't Forget Chaewon"... Family of Gwangju High School Murder Victim Reveals Her Identity

Seventeen-Year-Old Chaewon Lee Dreamed of Becoming an Emergency Rescuer
Family: "There Should Never Be Another Death Like This"

The name and face of the victim who died in a stabbing incident in downtown Gwangju have been released at the request of her family. The bereaved family appealed for strict punishment of the suspect, expressing their wish that their daughter's tragic death would not be forgotten.

The late Chaewon Lee. MBC broadcast screen

According to MBC on May 31, the parents of the late Chaewon Lee (17) decided to make their daughter's name and face public in hopes that such a tragedy would never be repeated. The family expressed their hope that Chaewon would be remembered as more than just "the female high school student victim."

It has been reported that Chaewon was a student preparing to enter the department of emergency rescue studies. She dreamed of saving lives and was known for proactively seeking admissions counseling related to her future, showing a clear vision for her career.

Chaewon's room seemed frozen in time before the incident. The school uniform she wore every day was neatly hung, and her textbooks and stationery remained on her desk. Music that she enjoyed listening to in her lifetime played from her tablet.

Chaewon's father, Mr. Lee, described his daughter as "so kind that she never even went through adolescence," adding, "She never once got angry at her mother or me." He confessed that he still cannot sleep at night, tormented by the thought that he did nothing for her as a parent.

Chaewon was attacked in the early morning of May 5 while returning home after studying. Her family demanded severe punishment for the suspect, emphasizing that their daughter, who was living an ordinary life, was sacrificed for no reason and that the perpetrator should never be allowed to return to society.

The suspect, Yoonki Jang (23), is accused of murdering Chaewon Lee on a pedestrian path in Gwangju as she was on her way home, and of attacking another teenager who tried to intervene. Police investigations revealed that Jang had originally planned the crime with the intention of killing a foreign female coworker from his part-time job.

Jang had reportedly shown one-sided affection toward the woman, which led to a stalking report. After failing to locate the woman, he committed the crime against Chaewon, who was walking home alone.

The Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency previously released Jang's name, age, and photographs. The decision to disclose his information was based on the brutality of the crime, the severity of the damage, and the availability of evidence.

The Gwangju-Jeonnam Memorial Solidarity plans to hold a memorial service for Chaewon on the 49th day of her passing. The bereaved family asked for continued public attention, hoping that Chaewon's name will be remembered for a long time and that such tragedies will never happen again.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.