South Korea’s Supreme Court has finalized a life sentence for Yang Gwang-jun (39), a former military officer convicted of murder, corpse mutilation, and body disposal.

Yang killed a 33-year-old female civilian military employee, with whom he had an extramarital relationship, and dumped her body in the Bukhan River.


Crime Details

On October 25, 2024, Yang strangled the victim to death inside his car at a military unit parking lot.

He dismembered the body and, the following night, disposed of the remains in the Bukhan River in Hwacheon, Gangwon Province.

At the time, Yang was serving as a lieutenant colonel-designate at the Cyber Operations Command in Gwacheon.


Motive and Cover-Up

Investigators found Yang acted after the victim threatened to expose their relationship to family or colleagues.

After the murder, he attempted an elaborate cover-up by:

Sending text messages to the victim’s family from her phone,

Repeatedly switching airplane mode on and off to simulate signs of life.



Court Findings

Trial court ruled the crime was exceptionally grave, citing:

Evidence of prior planning, including preparations for evidence destruction,

Extreme brutality and complete disregard for the victim’s dignity.


Appeals court rejected Yang’s claim of a spontaneous crime, holding:

The corpse mutilation and disposal were clearly planned acts to conceal murder,

His deception toward the victim’s family showed calculated intent.


Yang submitted numerous letters of remorse and deposited 50 million KRW in court, but:

The victim’s family refused compensation,

Courts found no grounds for leniency.



Supreme Court Decision

The Supreme Court dismissed Yang’s appeal and fully upheld the life imprisonment sentence.

Following the ruling, the military formally dismissed Yang from service.


Why This Case Matters

Reinforces judicial intolerance for premeditated murder combined with post-crime concealment.

Highlights how abuse of authority and calculated deception can weigh heavily toward the harshest penalties.

Sends a clear message that claims of “impulsive crime” collapse when planning and cover-up are evident.

Article: https://mobile.newsis.com/view/NISX20251231_0003461886

그것이 알고싶다: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YQEthqa7IEc