Man, 60, denies intent to kill at first trial over Seoul game-hall stabbing
In short
A 60-year-old man identified as Jeon, accused of killing a man in his 60s with a knife at a game hall in Nowon district, Seoul, denied intent to kill at his first hearing on 22 October. The court set the next hearing for 19 November at 10:20, when it will carry out a sentencing investigation.
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A man in his 60s, identified only by the surname Jeon, denied intent to kill at the first hearing of his murder trial on 22 October. The Seoul Northern District Court's criminal panel 14, with Oh Byung-hee (오병희) as presiding judge, held the hearing. Jeon's lawyer said the defence denied the charge in the indictment on the ground that there was no intent to kill. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
According to prosecutors, Jeon is accused of killing the victim with a knife at about 10:45 pm on 8 August at a game hall in Gongneung-dong, Nowon district, Seoul, during a scuffle that followed a quarrel. Dong-A Ilbo and Newsis describe the victim as an acquaintance in his 60s. Dong-A Ilbo reported that Jeon had been drinking and used a small fruit knife, and that the victim was taken to hospital but died. Yonhap and Newsis refer to the weapon only as a knife. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Newsis reported that Jeon was detained and indicted, and that according to its own reporting he and the victim were playing a card game for money when a dispute over the rules arose. Yonhap said the quarrel over rules was also reported to have begun during an illegal card game. [ 1 , 3 ]
The defence asked for the trial to continue. Jeon's lawyer said Jeon wants to ask the bereaved family for forgiveness and make amends as far as possible, according to Yonhap and Newsis. Dong-A Ilbo said the defence needs time to reach a settlement with the family and that Jeon has submitted eight letters of remorse to the court since the 29th of last month. The court accepted the request. Yonhap and Dong-A Ilbo said it will carry out a sentencing investigation, and Dong-A Ilbo said the court plans to close arguments at the next hearing unless there are special circumstances. Newsis said the court will use the next hearing to check whether the two sides have settled. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The next hearing is set for 19 November at 10:20 am. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Police found signs of illegal gambling at the game hall. Yonhap said police referred the hall's manager and operator in August on charges of opening a gambling venue. Dong-A Ilbo said two hall officials and three gamblers were summarily indicted. Newsis said police found that illegal card games for money, such as hwatu, had gone on there for about two years, with stakes of several thousand to tens of thousands of won per game. It said the hall's manager, a 76-year-old man identified as A, and its operator, a 63-year-old woman identified as B, were sent for summary trial on gambling charges, along with three men in their 60s and 70s who gambled, including Jeon. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The case is at an early stage, and the next hearing will look into possible settlement with the victim's family and sentencing. Police also found illegal gambling at the venue, which led to separate summary indictments.
Key facts
- On 22 October the Seoul Northern District Court's criminal panel 14, presiding judge Oh Byung-hee (오병희), held the first hearing for a man surnamed Jeon, 60, charged with murder. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Jeon's lawyer denied the charge, saying there was no intent to kill. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Prosecutors say Jeon killed the victim with a knife during a scuffle at a game hall in Gongneung-dong, Nowon district, at about 10:45 pm on 8 August. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The lawyer said Jeon wants to seek the bereaved family's forgiveness and make amends, and asked for the trial to continue. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The next hearing is set for 19 November at 10:20 am. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Police found signs of illegal gambling at the game hall. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Jeon, 60, is on trial for murder and, through his lawyer, denied intent to kill at the first hearing on 22 October. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The incident happened at a game hall in Gongneung-dong, Nowon district, at about 10:45 pm on 8 August, after a dispute with the victim. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The court granted the defence request to continue the trial, with the next hearing on 19 November at 10:20 am. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Police found signs of illegal card gambling at the game hall, and people tied to it were referred or indicted on gambling charges. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- What weapon was used. Yonhap and Newsis say only a knife (흉기), while Dong-A Ilbo says a small fruit knife (과도).
- How many people were indicted over the gambling. Dong-A Ilbo says two game-hall officials and three gamblers; Newsis says three men in their 60s and 70s who gambled, including Jeon, plus a manager and an operator. Yonhap says only that the manager and operator were referred.
- Whether the victim's family will settle with Jeon. The defence asked for time to seek settlement, and Newsis says the court will check whether a settlement was reached; no document says one has been.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- On 8 August, Jeon is accused of killing the victim at a game hall in Gongneung-dong, Nowon district, Seoul. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Yonhap publishes its report on the first hearing, held on 22 October. [ 1 ]
- Dong-A Ilbo publishes its report on the hearing. [ 2 ]
- Newsis publishes its report on the hearing. [ 3 ]
- Next hearing is scheduled for 19 November. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]