"Continued False Testimony, No Remorse": Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for 'Motel Serial Killer' Kim Soyoung

Defendant Claims She Was "Preventing Sexual Assault"
Families Denounce Defense as "Secondary Victimization"

Prosecutors have sought the death penalty for Kim Soyoung, 20, who was indicted and detained on charges of causing the deaths of two men and injuring four others by giving them drinks laced with drugs. The prosecution cited the seriousness of the crimes and Kim's lack of remorse as the reasons for their demand.

During the sentencing hearing held on August 18 at the Seoul Northern District Court Criminal Department 14 (presiding judge Oh Byunghee), the prosecution requested that the court hand down the death penalty on charges including murder, aggravated assault, and violations of the Narcotics Control Act.

Kim Soyoung, suspect in the serial motel murders in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul. Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office

The prosecution emphasized the extreme severity of the crimes, noting that Kim killed two people and injured four others. Prosecutors pointed out that "she took advantage of the defenseless state of men who had shown interest in her to take their lives. She has not shown remorse, continuing to make false statements throughout the investigation and trial."

Kim was brought to trial for allegedly causing the deaths of two men and injuring four others by giving male victims drug-laced drinks in motel rooms and other locations in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, between December of last year and February of this year, rendering them unconscious.

Kim partially admitted to giving the victims psychiatric medication that she had been prescribed and taking herself, but she denied the murder charges. Her defense argued that she put the drugs in the drinks to avoid sexual contact with the victims. While Kim admitted to giving the victims beverages mixed with psychotropic drugs, she claimed she was not aware of the specific ingredients or effects of the drugs.

The prosecution presented evidence that, prior to committing the crimes, Kim had searched generative artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot ChatGPT for information about the dangers of overdosing on sleep aids in combination with alcohol. Forensic analysis of Kim's mobile phone revealed queries such as whether overdosing on sleeping pills could cause death and whether the risk of death increased when mixed with alcohol. Kim stated in court that she did not specifically remember what questions she had asked.

Before the trial, the victims' families spoke to reporters outside the courtroom, saying, "We hope the court recognizes the gravity of this heinous crime and sentences Kim Soyoung to death."

Nam Eunho, an attorney at Law Firm Vincent representing the victims, responded to the defense's claims that Kim was trying to avoid sexual assault by saying, "For the grieving families, such arguments are insulting and amount to secondary victimization," adding that, "No such sexual assault took place, nor was anything to that effect found during the investigation."

In her final statement, Kim apologized to the victims and their families and pleaded for leniency. She said, "I'm truly sorry to the deceased men and their families," vowing, "I will spend my life repenting and atoning for my actions." She added, "I do not want to die here," and asked the court to "give me a chance to live a proper life."

The sentencing for Kim Soyoung is scheduled for 2:25 p.m. on the 27th.

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