A man who strangled his brother to aid his suicide attempt was given four years in prison by the Busan district court, Sunday.

The convicted 57-year-old and his 55-year-old brother had drunk herbicide to kill themselves amid financial hardship.

The two men made two attempts -- one on Oct. 15 and then two days later on Oct. 17 – but survived the poisoning both times. During the second try the younger brother reportedly suffered physical pain and breathing difficulties that prompted the older sibling to “help end his life,” after which the younger man died. 

The surviving brother claimed the younger sibling died from herbicide poisoning but the court decided otherwise.

According to the court, “The accused has consistently testified how he had apologized as he throttled his brother.”

The court also said, “The dead younger brother had stayed breathing for a notable period of time,” and that “The gravity of the crime is especially serious as the accused failed to save a life when he had the chance.”

By Lim Jeong-yeo (kaylalim@heraldcorp.com)