Prosecution seeks 20 and 15 years in prison for suspects in death of late director Kim Chang-min

Heavy prison sentences of 20 years and 15 years have been sought by the prosecution for two defendants indicted on charges of assaulting and causing the death of film director the late Kim Chang-min. As the case involving a filmmaker who lost his life following an assault during an ordinary daily routine enters the final stage of the legal battle, attention is once again being drawn to the fact that his son, who has a developmental disability and was present at the scene, witnessed his father being assaulted.

At the final hearing held on the 8th by the Criminal Division 1 (Presiding Judge Kim Guk-sik) of the Namyangju Branch of the Uijeongbu District Court, the prosecution requested the court to sentence Lee and Lim, who were indicted under custody on charges of murder and violation of the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities Act, to 20 years and 15 years in prison, respectively. The prosecution argued that the two divided roles during the assault to lead Director Kim to his death and, following the incident, attempted to align their statements or minimize the crime to avoid responsibility.

The prosecution emphasized that the victim lost his life after being assaulted while going about his ordinary daily life. In particular, they pointed out that the incident left irreversible wounds not only for the victim but also for his family, mentioning that Director Kim's son had to watch his father being ruthlessly assaulted before his eyes. The prosecution also cited as reasons for seeking heavy sentences that the defendants appeared on YouTube and other platforms to criticize the victim and showed an attitude of mocking investigative agencies and the court after their arrest warrants were dismissed. These are the arguments presented by the prosecution in court, while the defense side is denying the murder charges.

The defendants are contesting the charges, claiming there was no intent to kill. Lee's side admitted to assaulting Director Kim with fists but claimed they did not kick or stomp on him, and that they did not foresee the possibility of the victim's death. Lim's side also claimed innocence, stating that when Director Kim picked up a knife, they only subdued him by choking his neck to prevent further damage, and that they did not conspire with Lee to commit murder and that there is no causal relationship between their actions and the death.

Ultimately, the core issues of this trial are the specific details of the assault and subduing actions, the circumstances leading to the death, and whether the defendants had the intent to kill.

During the trial, testimonies and medical opinions regarding the situation at the time were also presented. A forensic professor testified to the point that the cerebral hemorrhage that occurred in Director Kim was related to repeated assaults, and also provided an explanation that Lim's act of choking the neck reduced the victim's ability to defend himself, leaving him defenseless to the subsequent assault. Customers at the restaurant and nearby shop owners also testified that they witnessed Director Kim being choked, collapsing, and then being moved to an alley, where he was subjected to further assault in a state where it was difficult to resist. However, how to judge these testimonies and medical opinions is up to the court.

The incident occurred in the early morning of October 20 last year at a restaurant in Guri, Gyeonggi-do. Director Kim visited the restaurant with his son and got into a dispute with Lee and Lim, who were other customers. A physical fight ensued, and Director Kim was assaulted, lost consciousness, and was moved to a hospital. He ultimately failed to regain consciousness and was declared brain dead after 17 days. It was also reported that he passed away after donating his organs to four people.

The reason this incident leaves even greater sorrow is that Director Kim's son witnessed his father's assault at the scene. The prosecution pointed out the fear and anxiety the son must have experienced and also applied charges for violation of the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities Act. The weight of the case is significant in that a moment of assault did not stop at taking a person's life but left long-lasting wounds for the family.

Director Kim directed works such as 'Someone's Daughter' and 'Exit 3 of Guui Station'. In addition to directing, he has been part of the film production scene by participating as a member of the art team in various works such as 'Man of Will', 'The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion', 'Forbidden Dream', 'Waiting for Rain', and 'Firefighters'. The fact that a filmmaker who has consistently worked both in front of and behind the scenes passed away due to a sudden assault remains a great loss to the film industry.

The sentencing hearing for the defendants is scheduled to be held on November 12. The 20-year and 15-year prison sentences presented at this final hearing are the prosecution's demands, and the court's final decision has not yet been made. As attention focuses on how the court will judge the arguments and evidence from both sides, the truth and responsibility surrounding the death of the late Director Kim Chang-min are also expected to be determined through the sentencing.

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