Seoul:Police have referred 26-year-old Kim Sung-woo to prosecutors for allegedly murdering his mother-in-law and kidnapping his wife, officials announced. The incident reportedly occurred on October 11 at the mother-in-law's residence in southern Seoul.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim is accused of fatally stabbing his mother-in-law before kidnapping his wife, who was staying at the residence. Following the alleged murder, Kim confined his wife in his vehicle and allegedly assaulted her. Police apprehended Kim in Yangyang County, approximately 150 kilometers east of Seoul, and rescued his wife hours after the incident.
The Seoul Songpa Police Station has recommended charges against Kim, including retaliatory murder, retaliatory confinement, aggravated assault, and violations of stalking and domestic violence laws. Kim's wife had sought divorce mediation in August but later withdrew the application to pursue an annulment of their marriage.
Police reported that Kim engaged in stalking his wife 18 times between September 16 and October 11, frequently waiting near his in-law's home. Investigators are considering the possibility that Kim's actions were retaliatory due to the annulment proceedings. Kim, however, claimed during investigations that the murder was not premeditated and that he intended to speak with his wife.