During the Lunar New Year holiday, a husband who allegedly beat his wife to death at their home partially denied the charges in his first trial.
Park stated in his first public trial on the 16th at Seoul Northern District Court, “I didn’t know it would kill her.”
Park is accused of assaulting his 70-year-old wife, Choi, at their home in Jeongneung-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, on February 12, leading to her death. The police urgently arrested Park around 7 p.m. the next day.
According to the prosecution, on the day of the crime, a drunken Park tried to enter the house. When his wife did not open the door, he broke through the screen door, repeatedly beat her, and left her to die.
Park’s lawyer acknowledged the assault but argued, “There are some differences in the number and location of assaults recorded in the indictment, and the defendant does not remember beating her. He also did not think that the assault would lead to death.”
When the judge asked, “So, you acknowledge the intent to assault, but it’s hard to acknowledge it led to death?” the lawyer responded, “Yes.”
The court asked Park’s side to submit a statement on the alleged fatal assault and an opinion on the locations of the assault. The subsequent trial will be held at 2:30 PM on the 20th of next month.