▲ Daejeon District Court
Prosecutors have requested heavy prison sentences for a couple in their 30s who attempted to murder their elementary school-aged daughter, citing financial difficulties as the motive.
During the final hearing held today (June 19) at the Daejeon District Court, the 12th Criminal Division, prosecutors requested that the court sentence both the husband, identified as A, and the wife, B, to 12 years in prison each for violating the Act on the Aggravated Punishment, etc. of Child Abuse Crimes.
"Although the defendants' crime ended in an attempt, the culpability is grave as the parents sought to take the life of their minor child, who is an independent individual entitled to protection," the prosecution stated.
The prosecution further explained, "The victim is expected to suffer long-term trauma, and the nature of the crime is severe, as the defendants denied the charges and attempted to destroy evidence during the initial investigation, only admitting to their wrongdoing after being taken into custody."
The couple was arrested and indicted for attempting to murder their daughter, C, on two separate occasions in January, citing financial hardship and depression.
They also attempted to take their own lives, but the attempt failed as everyone, including the daughter, regained consciousness.
The couple is also charged with child neglect for failing to take C to the hospital after she showed abnormal symptoms, such as slurred speech, following the murder attempt.
The following day, the grandmother, who noticed something was wrong with C, called 119, and it is reported that the child is currently recovering.
In his final statement, the husband, A, pleaded, "As parents, we committed an unforgivable act against our child, and we will never make such a wrong choice again. We are inadequate parents, but please show leniency so that we may be by our daughter's side."
The wife, B, also shed tears as she said, "I am sorry to my child and my family. Please give my family one more chance to live."
The sentencing hearing for the couple is scheduled for July 15.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.