Identity of 20s Suspect in Gwangju High School Girl Murder to Be Released

The personal information of a 24-year-old man, identified by the surname Jang, who fatally stabbed a 17-year-old high school girl as she was returning home in Gwangju, will be publicly disclosed. Police held a committee meeting on May 8th to review the disclosure of personal information for the suspect, Jang, and decided to release his name and face. The decision was made based on the assessment that Jang's crime was brutal and caused significant harm.

Jang was arrested on May 7th on charges of stabbing the 17-year-old high school student to death early on May 5th as she was on her way home. He claimed that he did not know the victim and that the crime was committed impulsively.

As Jang did not express consent to the disclosure decision, police plan to post his personal information on the Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency website starting May 14th, following a grace period of more than five days.

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Jang was reported for stalking by his ex-girlfriend two days prior to the crime. Police officers dispatched at the time confirmed injuries on the ex-girlfriend's neck but closed the case on-site because the victim stated she did not wish to pursue charges. Police are investigating whether Jang used the high school girl murder case as an outlet for retribution related to the stalking report.

Following the incident that occurred early on May 5th in Gwangju, a procession to mourn the deceased high school student has been underway.