From Stalking to Murder: How a 44-Year-Old’s Obsession Led to Tragedy in South Korea

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Authorities plan to hand 44-year-old Kim Hoon, accused of killing a woman in her 20s after stalking her in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, over to prosecutors on March 23.

On March 20, the Namyangju Northern Police Station said it will transfer Kim to prosecutors on March 23 on charges that include murder and violations of the Anti-Stalking Act.

Because Kim has been moved to Uijeongbu Prison for medical care, officials do not plan to present him on a photo line during the transfer.

The police also said they will release the results of their investigation on the same day as the transfer.

A police official said the detention center lacks medical facilities, which is why authorities decided to send Kim to prison, and reiterated that no photo line is planned.

According to investigators, Kim was arrested on March 14 at about 8:58 a.m. on a road in Onam-eup, Namyangju, on suspicion of stabbing to death A, a woman in her 20s whom he had dated in the past.

Police say he scouted the area around B’s workplace on March 12 and 13 while preparing the attack. On the day of the killing, he blocked A’s car, broke the window with a power drill, and attacked her.

Kim is accused of cutting off the electronic monitoring anklet he was wearing for a prior sex offense, fleeing in his car, and being captured roughly an hour later in Yangpyeong County.

He had been subject to temporary orders No. 2 and 3 under the Domestic Violence Punishment Act and provisional measures No. 1, 2 and 3 under the Anti-Stalking Act. At the time of the crime, he was barred from contacting A or approaching within 100 meters (about 328 feet) of her home or workplace.

In police questioning, Kim said he went to see the victim to try to repair their relationship, but he also told investigators that he does not remember committing the murder or other acts.