South Korean prosecutors seek 30 years’ jail for man who killed wife, hid body in car boot

Prosecutors in South Korea have requested a 30-year prison sentence for a man in his forties who killed his wife during an argument and hid her body in the boot of his car for over two months.

During the final hearing held on Thursday at the Suwon District Court’s Criminal Division, the prosecution argued that the defendant, identified only by the initial A, showed poor conduct after the murder by trying to shift the blame onto the victim.

“Despite the seriousness of the crime, he attempted to deflect responsibility,” a prosecutor told the court.

A admitted to the crime but gave no clear motive during questioning, responding only: “I’m not sure.” He had also failed to provide a consistent explanation during earlier stages of the investigation.

A’s lawyer claimed the incident was triggered by financial stress after he was scammed in a voice phishing scheme, while A himself said he had been suffering from depression and was not in a sound mental state at the time.

In his final statement, he said: “I’m sorry to my children and my wife. I deserve divine punishment”, and broke down in tears.