NAJU — Police on the 14th disclosed the identity of Park Yong-soo, 53, who is accused of killing a couple in their 60s in Naju, South Jeolla Province.
The South Jeolla Provincial Police Agency posted Park's personal details on its website at 10 a.m. the same day. The disclosed items include his name, age and mug shot. The information will remain public for one month, from that day through Nov. 13. Park did not file an objection, according to police.
The agency's deliberation committee on disclosing suspects' personal information made the decision a day earlier. The committee said it took into account the brutality of the crime and the public interest. The Naju Police Station said it would respect and follow the committee's decision.
Park is accused of killing the couple on the night of Oct. 5 at a detached house in Wanggok-myeon, Naju. Investigators determined the killings took place between 9:28 p.m. and 11:57 p.m. The victims were found dead inside the house.
During the investigation, police confirmed that cash had been withdrawn from an account in one victim's name. A total of 6 million won ($4,200) was withdrawn after the killings, the investigation found. On that basis, police upgraded the charge against Park from murder to robbery-murder. A court issued an arrest warrant on Oct. 9, citing the risk of flight.
Suspect's Account and Police Assessment
Park has maintained in questioning that the killings were not premeditated, according to police. He has said he swung a weapon that was already in the victims' home on the spur of the moment. Police, citing his movements before and after the killings, consider it more likely that the crime was planned. They plan to refer the case to prosecutors on Oct. 16, when the detention period expires.