The prosecution said Sunday it indicted the suspect who stabbed a 23-year-old woman to death near Gangnam Station, concluding that it was a “planned” crime by a person suffering from mental illness.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office said that the 34-year-old man, only identified by his surname Kim, had committed the murder due to his symptoms of schizophrenia and persecution complex, denying what many saw as the misogynist nature of the crime. 

Prosecutors, however, viewed the crime as not accidental but planned in advance. Kim, who had no prior contact with the victim, allegedly said during the police probe that he had decided to commit the crime upon anger toward another woman who had thrown a cigarette butt on his shoes two days prior to the incident.

“It is not confirmed whether Kim had despised and discriminated against women based on prejudice or belief,” said an official from the prosecution, adding that the hatred and aggressive attitude Kim had shown in general were a part of symptoms of his mental disorder.

Kim has been hospitalized for schizophrenia six times since 2008. But he had not taken medication since he was discharged from hospital in January. He had left home then and lived in public bathrooms and the stairways of buildings.

Kim was arrested in May on suspicion of stabbing a woman to death at a public bathroom near Gangnam Station on May 17. He allegedly waited for about 50 minutes, during which six men used and left the toilet, and killed the first woman who entered, according to CCTV footage.

The prosecution cited Kim’s experiences of dating a woman, enjoying adult videos and attempting to meet women at adult establishments as the reasons why they had concluded that the murder suspect was not misogynist.
The prosecution, however, is likely to face criticism among the public and civic groups who have called the case a hate crime against women and called for safety measures. The murder of the young woman had prompted nationwide mourning as well as debate over gender discrimination in the country. 

“Kim made defensive statements after learning that his crime had become socially controversial. He superficially expressed apology, but we did not see him feeling guilty or showing remorse,” the prosecution said, adding that he had remained calm and impassive.

Prosecutors requested the court to order Kim to wear an electronic anklet and receive medical treatment in custody.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office laid out measures to reinforce punishment for heavy crimes against the socially marginalized including children, women, the disabled and the elderly.

According to the measures, it will require longer medical treatment for up to 21 years in custody for mentally disturbed criminals who have committed murder or robbery, or those who are prone to commit second crimes. It said it will also detain first-time offenders who commit crimes under the influence of alcohol or against the socially marginalized.

By Ock Hyun-ju  (laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)