"Bereaved Family Devastated Again"... Superintended Kim Daejung Criticizes Life Sentence for High School Girl’s Murderer

Despite Court's Ruling for 'Permanent Separation,' Current Law Allows Parole Review After 20 Years

“Deep Empathy for the Bereaved Family’s Pain”… Vowing Full Efforts to Strengthen Student Safety Network

Kim Daejung, Superintendent of Education for the Integrated Special City of Gwangju and Jeonnam, strongly urged for the institutionalization of "life imprisonment without parole" in response to the first trial court’s life sentence of Jang Yunki (23), who was indicted and detained for the brutal rape and murder of a female high school student. Kim pointed out that the current legal system does not guarantee the “permanent separation from society” that the court has outlined.

On September 30, through his Facebook account, Superintendent Kim expressed deep empathy for the grief and concerns raised by the victim's family regarding the limitations of the current legal system, stating, "I bow my head in front of the words of the victim's parents, who said, ‘We were devastated yet again by the court’s verdict.’”

Kim Daejung, Superintendent of Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Metropolitan Office of Education

He added, “The perpetrator who took away Chaewon Lee from us was sentenced to life imprisonment in the first trial today, and the court also judged that the perpetrator must be permanently separated from society. However, current life imprisonment is subject to parole review after 20 years under Article 72 of the Criminal Act.”

Superintendent Kim continued, “The parents have accurately pointed out the gap in the law, which fails to guarantee the ‘permanent separation’ mentioned in the verdict. I deeply empathize with the bereaved family’s demand to legislate life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.”

He also delivered a message to the judiciary and the local community, respectfully requesting, “I hope the weight of this case and the pain of the bereaved family will be thoroughly considered in the appellate trial.”

Superintendent Kim further emphasized his commitment as the head of educational administration: “The Office of Education will prioritize student safety above all else and work with relevant agencies to create an even tighter safety net for our children. We will not stop until our children can walk the streets at night without fear, as Chaewon once did. We will ensure full responsibility for the crime and full safety for the children.”

Meanwhile, on this day, the 13th Criminal Division of the Gwangju District Court (Chief Judge Lee Jungho) sentenced Jang Yunki to life imprisonment for charges including violation of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Sexual Crimes (rape and murder). The court also ordered a 10-year restriction on employment at institutions related to children, adolescents, and persons with disabilities, along with the attachment of an electronic tracking device.

The court explained its choice of a life sentence by stating, “Given the brutality and severity of the crime, there is a significant need for permanent separation from society,” but also considered that “the Republic of Korea is, in practice, an abolitionist country regarding the death penalty and balanced its judgment with similar precedents.” However, the court’s written verdict included the opinion that “it would be appropriate to prohibit parole for the defendant during his lifetime.”

Immediately after the sentencing, the bereaved family of the late Chaewon Lee held an emergency press conference in front of the Gwangju District Court, expressing profound grief: “Our family has died once again today because of the court’s decision. If the death penalty is not to be imposed, there must be a swift enactment of life imprisonment without the possibility of even a single day of parole, so that heinous criminals are permanently separated from society.” The family and their legal representatives plan to immediately request an appeal from the prosecution.

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