Man in his 50s arrested for murdering 15-year-old girl who was victim of his son's sex crime

Police have arrested a man in his 50s, identified only as Mr. A, on charges of murdering a 15-year-old girl at a short-term rental accommodation (Airbnb) in Jeongneung-dong, Seongbuk District, Seoul. Mr. A was heavily intoxicated at the time of his arrest and is believed to have prepared the weapon in advance; a suicide note was also found at the scene. Police plan to apply for an arrest warrant for Mr. A once their questioning of the woman in a de facto common-law relationship with him is complete.

The victim was identified as the victim of a sex crime committed by Mr. A's son. She had reported being abused at home and had since been living mainly at shelters. According to police, Mr. A sought a settlement with the victim but was refused. Police believe the location where the victim was staying became exposed during her move between shelters.

Mr. A's son was transferred to prosecution without detention in March on charges of committing a sex crime against the victim, and is currently being held at a detention center for a separate theft offense. The woman in her 20s who had been in a common-law relationship with Mr. A was sued by the victim's parents on charges of forcing the victim into prostitution and theft, and police had already applied for a pre-arrest warrant for her.