"I Only Gave Drugs to Stop Sexual Harassment, Never Thought They Would Die"... Claims by 'Motel Serial Killer' So-Young Kim

Requesting Reduction of Compensation in Civil Lawsuit by Victims’ Families

Repeatedly Insists in Trial: "I Had No Intention to Kill"

A photo from an SNS account presumed to belong to So-Young Kim. SNS screenshot

'Gangbuk Motel Serial Killer' So-Young Kim (20) claimed that the reason she handed drugs to her victims was "to stop non-consensual physical contact." In the damages lawsuit filed by the bereaved family, Kim submitted an opinion to the court asking for a reduction of the compensation, arguing that the requested amount was excessive.

"Burdened by 12% Interest...Please Reduce the Compensation Amount"

According to the material obtained on July 14 by Nam Eonho, legal representative of the victims’ bereaved families, Kim wrote in her handwritten statement submitted to the court last May, "The 12% (overdue) interest is such a large amount that I absolutely cannot pay and it is a huge burden."

The bereaved families are pursuing a civil lawsuit seeking damages of 30 million won in total against Kim and her parents. In her statement, Kim also argued, "Since I committed the crime as an adult, forcing my parents to provide compensation is unreasonable."

In particular, she insisted that her mother should be excluded from responsibility for damages, stating that her mother raised her despite difficult family circumstances and faithfully fulfilled her duty of care and supervision. In contrast, she asserted that both she and her father should be held liable for compensation, as her father neglected her from her minor years and caused her psychological trauma through domestic violence and verbal abuse.

Kim further insisted, "The plaintiffs should bear the litigation expenses. The amount the plaintiffs are claiming is so large that even if I worked my entire life, I would never be able to pay it off," adding, "Please only claim an amount that I could repay over a lifetime."

"I Had No Intention to Kill"—Plea of Unfairness

Kim also submitted a statement in the ongoing criminal trial for causing death or harm to the victims, insisting on her innocence. She wrote, "I was extremely shocked when told at the time of my arrest that the two (victims) died. I had no intent to kill, and absolutely no plan to kill anyone."

It was previously reported that, despite witnessing the first victim slip into unconsciousness after ingesting the drug she provided, Kim nearly doubled the dosage given to subsequent victims. Regarding this, Kim argued, "I don’t remember exactly if there were twice as many pills in the drink; I think it was slightly more than the equivalent of three pills," adding, "I never imagined that amount could kill someone."

Kim Soyoung's revealed face (right) and a photo from a SNS account presumed to be hers. Screenshot from SNS

Kim also wrote, "I was subjected to non-consensual physical contact by the victims, which triggered memories of a similar sexual assault I suffered in the past and instilled fear in me," adding, "I deeply regret the rash decision to give them drugs in an attempt to stop the sexual harassment."

Kim was detained and indicted in March on charges of murder and violation of the Narcotics Control Act after allegedly handing drinks containing benzodiazepines to three men in their twenties between mid-December last year and February this year, resulting in the deaths of two and rendering another unconscious. In April, she faced additional indictment for injuring three other men using similar methods.

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