A man who stalked and murdered his ex-girlfriend was given a life sentence Thursday.

Seoul Dongbu District Court said the accused, a 31-year-old surnamed Han, committed “an unpardonable crime” for brutally killing the victim and tormenting her prior to her death by constant stalking.

The victim, 31, had reportedly suffered serious distress due to Han’s threatening presence and was unable to report to work.

On April 19, the day of the murder, the victim fled as soon as she spotted Han, but he chased her down and stabbed her to death.

Han claimed in court that the weapons he had carried were intended for him to commit suicide.

However, the court said it is difficult to view the extensive array of knives and coils Han had, as well as a pair of gloves and a motorcycle, as tools to assist in his own suicide.

The knife Han had in his shirt pocket as he ran after the victim had a taped handle for a better grip.

The court looked over the contents of earlier text messages exchanged between Han and the victim and determined the latter had worried about Han even after they had ended their relationship.

Despite the evidence presented, Han continued to put the blame on the victim, claiming he had a “soft heart.”

The prosecution initially sought the death penalty for Han. However, the court handed down lifetime imprisonment, as the “death penalty should only be ruled in cases such as serial murder.”

By Lim Jeong-yeo (kaylalim@heraldcorp.com)