Prosecutors Claim 'Mother-in-Law Murder' Suspect Jo Jaebok Had History of Fatally Assaulting Sister as a Child

Death Record from 22 Years Ago Confirmed Based on Father's Statement

Jo Jaebok Protests, "Are You Saying I Killed My Sister?"

Jo Jaebok (26), who has been put on trial for allegedly beating his mother-in-law to death and then abandoning her body in a suitcase, faced new allegations from prosecutors in court claiming that he had also fatally beaten his younger sister during his childhood.

According to Yonhap News Agency on July 23, during a hearing held that day by the 13th Criminal Division of Daegu District Court (Presiding Judge Chae Heein), the prosecutor submitted relevant evidence and stated, "Jo Jaebok, at the age of 4, once beat his then 2-year-old younger sister to death," adding, "He has a history of committing multiple crimes, such as juvenile offenses, due to his violent tendencies that go back years."

Suspect Jo Jaebok in the 'Daegu Carrier Case'. Daegu Police Agency, Yonhap News Agency

The prosecution revealed that, while confirming details via a phone call with Jo's biological father to establish his violent tendencies, they came across records from 22 years ago regarding his sister's death.

At that time, the prosecution also advised Jo Jaebok and his family to continue receiving psychiatric treatment. In response, Jo immediately protested, asking, "Are you saying I killed my younger sister?" The court instructed him to submit his rebuttal in writing.

During the same hearing, the prosecution presented as evidence a vacuum cleaner with a broken handle found at the home where Jo allegedly caused his mother-in-law's death, explaining, "The handle was broken during the assault." Jo Jaebok countered by claiming, "The handle broke while disciplining my pet dog, which was biting severely."

The court is scheduled to hold a final hearing at 10:40 a.m. on September 17, during which the prosecution will announce its sentencing recommendation, the defense will make its closing argument, and Jo Jaebok will give his final statement.

Jo Jaebok was indicted and detained on charges of beating his mother-in-law, Ms. A (aged 54 at the time of her death), to death after a prolonged assault at an officetel-type studio apartment in Jung-gu, Daegu, in March of this year, and then abandoning her body in a suitcase near the Sincheon River in Chilseong-dong, Buk-gu. He is also accused of a series of abuses, including assault, surveillance, and economic control over his wife and mother-in-law, and faces additional charges such as aggravated false imprisonment resulting in bodily injury.

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