Woman assaulted with brass knuckles at Sillim-dong dies

According to law enforcement officials, the perpetrator had viciously beaten the woman, rendering her unconscious with breass knuckles that he purchased a month ago. The man while admitted to attempting rape, argues he had failed.

A 30 year-old man only identified as Choi being escorted by police to attend a court hearing that will determine his arrest. [YONHAP]

A woman brutally attacked with brass knuckles in an alleged rape incident at a park in Sillim-dong, Gwanak District, Seoul on Thursday, succumbed to her injuries on Saturday.

The victim, a woman in her 30s, was assaulted by a 30-year-old man identified only as Choi.

He had trailed her into the park, which is connected to a hiking trail, and attacked her in a remote area.

A passerby who heard the woman's cries for help alerted the police around 11:44 a.m. The assailant was apprehended at 12:10 p.m.

According to law enforcement officials, the perpetrator had beaten the woman, rendering her unconscious. She remained in that state when she was rushed to the hospital and did not regain consciousness.

In the ongoing police investigation, Choi contended that his attempted rape had failed.

When questioned by a reporter about whether he was asserting that his rape attempt had indeed failed, his answer was "yes."

As Choi was escorted by the police to court for a review of his arrest warrant on Saturday, he expressed remorse, saying he was "sorry."

In response to a question about any further statements, he expressed his hope for the victim's recovery, saying he wished for her quick recovery.

According to the police, the assailant left his residence in Doksan-dong, Geumcheon District, at 9:55 a.m., just two hours before the attack. He had purchased two brass knuckles online four months earlier, which he used in his assault.

When Choi was first taken into custody, he told the police that the woman was rendered unconscious by a fallen tree branch.

However, he later changed his statement, saying he had beaten the victim to rape her.

He also told the police that he frequented the park regularly because it was close to his home and he knew the blind spots where there were no surveillance cameras.

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]