Jang Yun-gi appeals life sentence in Gwangju high school girl murder case
In short
Jang Yun-gi (23), convicted of abducting and killing a high school girl in Gwangju, appealed against his life sentence on Oct 7, the deadline for filing. Prosecutors had already appealed on Oct 2, arguing the sentence was too light after seeking the death penalty. The Gwangju District Court sentenced him to life imprisonment on Sept 30, with an electronic monitoring order and a 10-year employment restriction.
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Jang Yun-gi (23), convicted of abducting and killing a high school girl in Gwangju, filed an appeal on Oct 7 against the first-instance life sentence, Yonhap, Hankook Ilbo, CBS NoCut News and Seoul Shinmun reported. The appeal was submitted to the Gwangju District Court Criminal Division 13, presided over by Judge Lee Jeong-ho, on the deadline for filing. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Prosecutors had appealed first, filing with the same court on Oct 2 and arguing the life sentence was too light; they had sought the death penalty, according to Yonhap, Hankook Ilbo and CBS NoCut News. CBS NoCut News said it has not been confirmed what grounds Jang will give, and that the appeal court may hear the prosecution's argument that the death penalty should be imposed together with Jang's arguments for a reduced sentence or other legal points. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
On Sept 30 the court sentenced Jang to life imprisonment, finding him guilty of rape and murder and other charges under the Act on Special Cases concerning the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes, and ordered him to wear an electronic monitoring device and barred him from working at institutions related to children, adolescents and disabled people for 10 years. Hankook Ilbo quoted the court as saying the motive, method, result and circumstances of the crime made it “very grave” and that he needed to be “permanently isolated from society”, but that it could not conclude there were the special circumstances required for a death sentence; the court added, according to the same report, that never allowing parole during his life was the only way to comfort the victim and prevent similar crimes. Hankook Ilbo reported a 30-year electronic tracking order, while Yonhap and CBS NoCut News mentioned the device order without a period. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
According to Yonhap and CBS NoCut News, Jang abducted Lee Chae-won (16), a second-year high school student, from a street in Wolgye-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju at about 00:10 on May 5 as she was on her way home, intending to sexually assault her in his car, and killed her when that was not possible; he also swung a weapon at a male second-year high school student who ran over after hearing screams, injuring him. Hankook Ilbo described the killing as stabbing her with a weapon near a high school in Gwangsan-gu. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
Jang is also accused of stalking and sexually assaulting a female co-worker two days before the murder, Yonhap and CBS NoCut News reported. Accounts of the other earlier offence differ: Yonhap said he secretly filmed a young woman's body while serving as a social service agent, while Hankook Ilbo said he secretly filmed part of a middle school student's body in June last year. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
Yonhap and CBS NoCut News reported that Jang admitted all the charges during the trial. Hankook Ilbo reported that at an August sentencing hearing he said, “I apologise to the victim and the bereaved family”, adding that he had committed a crime that must never be forgotten and would carry the guilt for the rest of his life, and noted that he appealed despite those remarks. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
Why it matters
With both sides appealing, the outcome now rests with an appellate court rather than the first-instance ruling, and the prosecution's demand for the death penalty and any defence arguments may be weighed together. That leaves the sentence open to change in either direction. The case has been covered by national outlets since the May crime, and the appeal keeps the legal process in public view.
Key facts
- Jang Yun-gi (23) filed an appeal against his life sentence with the Gwangju District Court Criminal Division 13 on Oct 7, the last day for filing. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The Gwangju District Court sentenced Jang to life imprisonment on Sept 30. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- Prosecutors appealed on Oct 2, arguing the sentence was too light; they had sought the death penalty. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- Jang admitted all the charges during the trial, according to Yonhap and CBS NoCut News. [ 2 , 5 ]
- Jang abducted Lee Chae-won (16) around 00:10 on May 5 in Wolgye-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, and killed her after an attempted sexual assault; a male high school student who came at her screams was also attacked. [ 2 , 5 ]
- The court also ordered electronic monitoring and a 10-year ban on employment at institutions related to children, adolescents and disabled people. [ 2 , 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Jang Yun-gi filed an appeal against his life sentence with the Gwangju District Court Criminal Division 13 on Oct 7, the last day for filing. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The Gwangju District Court sentenced Jang to life imprisonment on Sept 30. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- Prosecutors appealed on Oct 2, arguing the sentence was too light; they had sought the death penalty. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- Jang admitted all the charges during the trial. [ 2 , 5 ]
- Jang abducted Lee Chae-won (16) in Gwangsan-gu, Wolgye-dong, Gwangju around 00:10 on May 5 and killed her, and attacked a male high school student who intervened. [ 2 , 5 ]
- The court ordered electronic monitoring and a 10-year restriction on employment at institutions related to children, adolescents and disabled people. [ 2 , 5 ]
Still unclear
- What grounds Jang will give for his appeal. CBS NoCut News said the specific grounds have not been confirmed, and that because he admitted the charges at first instance it is unclear whether he will argue the sentence was excessive in a later statement of grounds.
- The length of the electronic monitoring order. Hankook Ilbo reported a 30-year electronic tracking order, while Yonhap and CBS NoCut News mention the electronic device order without giving a period.
- Details of Jang's earlier offences. Yonhap says he secretly filmed a young woman while serving as a social service agent; Hankook Ilbo says he secretly filmed part of a middle school student's body in June last year.
- Whether the appeal court will consider both the prosecution's death penalty demand and the defence arguments together. CBS NoCut News said the two could be heard together, not that they will be.
- The exact time of the first-instance sentencing on Sept 30. The documents say the sentencing was held on the afternoon of Sept 30 but do not give a clock time.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- May 5, 2026: Jang Yun-gi abducts Lee Chae-won (16) from a street in Wolgye-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju as she returns home, kills her after an attempted sexual assault, and wounds a male high school student who runs toward her screams. [ 2 , 5 ]
- Sept 30, 2026: Gwangju District Court Criminal Division 13 sentences Jang to life imprisonment and orders electronic monitoring and a 10-year employment restriction. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- Oct 2, 2026: Prosecutors appeal the life sentence, arguing it is too light; they had sought the death penalty. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- Oct 7, 2026: Jang files an appeal with the same court on the last day for filing, after admitting all charges during the trial. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]