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A suspect in the group assault that killed filmmaker Kim Chang-min appeared on YouTube and issued an apology.
In a video titled “I am the killer of Director Kim Chang-min,” uploaded on the 9th to the Caracula YouTube channel, known as CyberRekker, the man identified as A bowed his head and said, “I’m deeply sorry to Director Kim and his bereaved family.”
He also defended the controversy over releasing a song called “Gangster” under the stage name “Perpetrator” after the incident, saying, “I recorded that track before the incident; it’s just a story about first love.”
The victim’s family called the suspect’s actions “another form of violence.” Kim’s father criticized him, saying, “We have not received a single direct apology since the incident. Hiding behind the media to say you’re sorry without contacting the family only provokes and wounds us further.”
Through the media on the 7th, A again bowed and said, “I know I committed an unforgivable crime against Director Kim and his family.”
The family also updated the public on the condition of Kim’s son, who has a developmental disability. Kim’s father said, “My grandson has been shouting and is anxious since the incident. He’s receiving psychiatric treatment and taking medication.”
Allegations of a botched initial police investigation have resurfaced. Guri Police in Gyeonggi Province initially relied on a restaurant worker’s statement and reported that Kim charged at attackers with a pork-cutlet knife, listing him as a suspect on a special intimidation charge. Responding officers treated the incident as a mutual altercation, but that allegation was closed without prosecution after Kim died.
CCTV later showed Kim pick something up but did not show him swinging it; instead, footage captured the attackers choking Kim, dragging his collapsed body into a blind spot, and beating him indiscriminately. The family says at least six people took part in the attack, yet authorities have identified only one suspect, and they are demanding a full reinvestigation.
The prosecution has formed a special team of three prosecutors and five investigators to conduct a supplementary inquiry. The Gyeonggi Northern Provincial Police Agency is also conducting internal inspections of Guri Police officers who led the initial investigation.
Kim, who worked on films including The Witch and The Firefighter, collapsed last October from a brain hemorrhage caused by the assault. He was declared brain-dead and donated organs to four recipients before passing away. The Ministry of Justice said it will work to uncover the facts and ensure the perpetrators face stern punishment.
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