Death Penalty Confirmed for Serial Killer Jeong Nam-gyu Who Murdered 13

On April 12, 2007, 19 years ago today, the death sentence for serial killer Jeong Nam-gyu, who murdered 13 people and inflicted horrific damage on 20 others, was finally confirmed by the Supreme Court, bringing legal closure to a case that had deeply shocked society at the time. Jeong Nam-gyu began his crimes in January 2004 in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, and over approximately 2 years and 3 months, he murdered 13 people and seriously injured 20 others while moving between Seoul and the surrounding metropolitan areas. His victims were mostly women and minors, who were considered weaker than him.

He derived pleasure from killing itself, without any specific grudges or financial motives. To commit perfect crimes, he meticulously prepared, avoiding areas with many CCTV cameras and even altering his shoes. Upon his arrest by the police, Jeong Nam-gyu stated, 'Ah, it's over. What a pity I didn't kill 1,000 people.' Experiences of domestic violence and sexual assault in his childhood, as well as bullying during his school years, were identified as factors that contributed to the formation of his antisocial tendencies.

Even after his death sentence was confirmed, Jeong Nam-gyu's attitude did not change. During his trial, he made statements to the effect of, 'I can quit smoking, but I can't quit killing.' He took his own life in his solitary cell at the Seoul Detention Center in November 2009, approximately 2 years and 7 months after his death sentence was finalized.