Seohyeon killer claims to have been mentally ill during rampage

(Herald DB)

The lawyer of Choi Won-jong, the 23-year-old South Korean man on trial for a fatal stabbing rampage last year near Seohyeon Station in Bundang, Gyeonggi Province, claimed in court Thursday that his client had been suffering from schizophrenia at the time of the crime, citing a recent psychiatric evaluation.

Suwon District Court revealed the results of the National Forensic Hospital's evaluation of Choi, in which the hospital suggested that "the defendant's ability to distinguish objects and make decisions had been lowered at the time of the attack," and that his schizoid personality disorder may persist without treatment.

"The report shows that (Choi) was in a state of mental disorder at the time of the crime. ... It is clear that his actions were caused by delusion, and he therefore needs to receive psychiatric treatment," his lawyer told the court. Choi had been diagnosed with schizoid personality disorder in the past.

Those convicted of a crime who were suffering a mental disorder can have their punishment reduced, according to South Korean law.

The prosecution, however, pointed out that Choi searched online for related information just before the attack and claimed that his cognitive abilities were not compromised at the time of the attack. "The defendant was investing in stocks and had an academic background in computer programing. He did not commit the crime because of his condition," prosecutors said.

The Criminal Act states in Article 10 that a person whose cognitive abilities are compromised due to a mental disorder shall have the punishment mitigated.

Choi's attack at a shopping mall near Seohyeon Station in Bundang injured a dozen and killed two, a 60-something woman named Lee Hee-nam and a 20-something woman named Kim Hye-bin.

The names of the victims were revealed by the bereaved families, who said they did not want them to be forgotten.

Kim's father and Lee's husband testified Thursday, urging the court to hand Choi the harshest sentence possible. "He should be separated from society forever, so please sentence him to death," Kim's father said.

Despite the death penalty still technically being on the books here, South Korea is considered abolitionist in practice. The last state execution carried out was in 1997.

By Yoon Min-sik(minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com)