No indication that suspect has antisocial personality disorder

The suspect accused of killing his parents, his wife and two daughters is escorted out of the Yongin Seobu Police Station by police officers in Gyeonggi Province on Thursday. (Yonhap)
The suspect accused of killing his parents, his wife and two daughters is escorted out of the Yongin Seobu Police Station by police officers in Gyeonggi Province on Thursday. (Yonhap)

South Korean police on Thursday officially handed over to the prosecution the murder case of five family members, with the suspect admitting that the crime was premeditated.

The suspect left his cell at Yongin Dongbu Police Station in Gyeonggi Province at around 8 a.m. to be placed in the custody of the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office. He did not answer media questions, but nodded affirmatively when asked, "Did you plan the murder?"

Police said the suspect did not show any signs of antisocial personality disorder, so a related test was not conducted.

The suspect in his 50s faces charges of murder and murder of ascendant, with relation to the deaths of his parents, his wife and their two daughters in his home in Suji-gu, Yongin, on April 15. It is believed he drugged his family and strangled them while they were unconscious.

He allegedly intended to take his own life at his residence in the adjacent city of Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, leaving what is thought to be a suicide note at the crime scene. He also informed another family member via text message of his anticipated death.

The suspect told police he was in substantial debt and faced civil and criminal proceedings related to his failed business. He said he thought it would be better for the entire family to die than have to bear what he described as an excessive burden of debt.


minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com