Korean netizens reacted with both rage and sympathy to a teen murder case involving a school bully and victim.
In February of this year, an appellate court overturned an initial court ruling by the Seoul District Court sentencing a teenage defendant to 3 years in prison for the murder of his school bully. Instead, the Seoul High Court sentenced the defendant, 'A' (20), to a probationary period of 5 years (2 years in prison if another crime is committed during the probation period), along with 5 years of supervision and mental health treatment.
The tragic incident occurred in April of 2024, when the defendant, 'A' (19 at the time), was subject to severe abuse and violence in his own home at the hands of the victim, 'B', for approximately 3 hours. During the 3-hour period, 'B' poured water on the floors of the living room and ordered 'A' to clean it up, used a razor and scissors to cut 'A's hair, used a lighter to burn 'A's ears, eyebrows, and genitals, ordered 'A' to masturbate and insert various objects into his anus, and forcibly poured soju down 'A's throat. When 'A' refused to follow 'B's orders, 'B' beat 'A' with a broom and dustpan.
Unable to bear the violent abuse, 'A' eventually retaliated by stabbing 'B' with a weapon obtained from the kitchen, murdering 'B'.
It was also revealed that 'A' had suffered horrendous bullying at the hands of 'B' since his 3rd year of middle school, and that the bullying persisted even after both graduated high school. 'A' is also an individual with ADHD and was taking medication for his mental disorder at the time of the incident.
Although the defendant's side claimed a state of "mental incapacity" during the occurrence of the crime, which heavily interfered with 'A's ability to make rational decisions, the Seoul District Court dismissed the claim, initially sentencing the defendant to 3 years in prison.
This decision enraged onlookers who had been following the case, and the defendant's side also proceeded with an appeal shortly after the initial ruling. The appellate court then accepted the defendant's claim of "mental incapacity" during the second round of trials, notably citing the dangerous effects of consuming alcohol while on medication for mental disorders. The Seoul High Court also stated, "It is heartbreaking that the defendant was subject to such horrendous abuse and harm at school and at home, two places where anyone should feel safe and protected. The court additionally laments that our society was unable to protect our youths who needed care, interest, and discipline."
Following the High Court's decision, 'A's legal representative commented, "Although 'A' was not acquitted, which was the original goal, it nonetheless stands that the court considered this case very deeply. From here on, our regional communities and its members must work together to make the world a safer place for 'A'."
In response to the Seoul High Court's second ruling, many Korean netizens reacted with comments like,
"He was acting entirely in self-defense!"
"Of course he's not guilty! He just cleaned up a worthless piece of trash."
"Is that judge who made the initial ruling a psychopath??"
"Why did it take them two whole trials to determine the obvious - he's not guilty."
"He was being threatened for his life. Plus, if that victim wanted to commit such horrendous acts, he should have been somewhat aware of the consequences."
"This is so unfair what about the trauma that the defendant is probably going to have to carry all his life."
"If this isn't self-defense than nothing is self-defense."
"He was in a desperate situation where if he didn't kill, his own livelihood was in danger."
"He didn't murder anybody. He just squashed an ugly bug."
"This makes me so sad. I can't even imagine how horrific it was for 'A'."
"What is wrong with this court system that wants to punish this completely innocent victim of school bullying;;"
"That piece of trash that died shouldn't even be referred to as the 'victim' no matter what the situation."
"I hope he can adjust better to society after this."
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