Man Who Murdered Teen Aspiring to Be a Paramedic Expresses Desire to "Earn Certificates" While in Custody

Jang Yoon-gi, who killed a high school girl by attacking strangers with a weapon in downtown Gwangju, is facing public outrage after it was revealed that he has been planning his future, including obtaining professional certificates, while in custody.

The Gwangju District Court held the first trial hearing today (June 22) for Jang, who was indicted on charges including rape-murder and attempted murder.

The legal representative for the victim revealed in court that Jang wrote in a handwritten statement submitted to the court, "If given the opportunity during my time in custody, I will challenge myself to earn certificates."

In response, the legal representative criticized him, stating, "The victim's time stopped forever at the age of 16, yet the defendant is planning his own future even at this very moment while standing trial."

This was a reference to the victim, Lee Chae-won, who had been preparing for her future, including attending an information session for a university's emergency medical technician program with the dream of becoming a paramedic.

The legal representative appealed to the court to consider the despair of the bereaved family, saying, "Because of the defendant's crime, all that remains for the family is deep darkness, having lost all the ordinary tomorrows they would have spent with their daughter and sister."

Sighs could be heard from the gallery as the victim's legal representative continued to speak.

The legal representative argued that "Jang prepared for the crime in a calculated manner, such as readying a weapon in advance, following the victim, and scouting the location and timing for the attack."

They further emphasized, "The method of the crime was extremely brutal, as he suppressed the victim's resistance and stabbed her multiple times as she tried to flee."

The representative also pointed out that Jang has shown no genuine remorse, as he continues to deny any intent to commit sexual assault.

Calling for a stern punishment, they noted that it was a premeditated crime with a brutal method targeting a vulnerable victim, and that the defendant remains unrepentant.

Lee Chae-won was killed on May 5 around midnight after being stabbed by Jang while walking home from a private academy in Wolgye-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.