South Korean Brothers Stab Grandmother 61 Times in Front of Paralyzed Grandfather; Court Cites 'Accidental' Nature

A shocking family murder case in South Korea has drawn widespread condemnation. In August 2021, two teenage brothers in Daegu fatally stabbed their 77-year-old grandmother in front of their 93-year-old grandfather, a brutal act that sparked public outrage.

The 18-year-old elder brother, identified as A, and his 16-year-old younger brother, B, reportedly resented their grandmother's long-standing discipline and scolding over daily matters. Before the incident, A had even messaged B, suggesting, “Let’s kill Grandma,” and searched online for methods of murder.

The day before the murder, on the afternoon of Sunday, August 29, the brothers were scolded by their grandmother for not using their 'school lunch card' to buy food at a convenience store. Since their parents' divorce in 2012, their grandmother had been raising the two grandsons alone, relying on low-income subsidies and financial support from her daughter.

The grandmother disapproved of her grandsons' constant immersion in mobile games, often admonishing them, “If you put as much effort into studying as you do into gaming, you’d be top of your class.” She also sternly told them, “You must move out when you turn 20.” While her intention was to encourage them to study hard and become independent, it instilled fear in A. He later confessed that whenever his grandmother mentioned them moving out, he was overcome with immense anxiety about “where to live in the future.”

At 10:26 p.m. on the night of the incident, A, upset that his grandmother wanted him to use his school lunch card to buy food, messaged his brother B, “Let’s kill Grandma.” He then searched online for “how to kill someone in one go.”

Around 12:10 a.m., as the grandmother finished showering and was about to return to her room, A approached her with a knife. The grandmother tried to pick up her phone and said, “Then stab me.” A immediately ordered his brother to close the window, then proceeded to stab her wildly, inflicting a total of 61 wounds.

The grandfather, paralyzed from the waist down and unable to move, could only weakly cry out, “No!” but was powerless to intervene. As the grandmother lay in a pool of blood, the grandfather pleaded, “It’s all my fault, please take her to the hospital.” However, A coldly replied, “Grandpa should go with Grandma too,” and walked towards the grandfather’s room with the knife. Fortunately, B intercepted him and pushed him back. After the brothers left the room, the grandfather immediately called the police, telling them, “My grandson stabbed my wife many times and wouldn’t let me near her.”

After the crime, A and B reportedly cleaned up the large amount of blood in the living room, sprayed perfume, and even showered, citing a “bloody smell.” When police and paramedics arrived, the grandmother had already succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at 1:25 a.m., with the cause of death attributed to multiple organ damage and massive blood loss.

The prosecution initially sought a life sentence for A and prison terms ranging from 6 to 12 years for B. However, the first-instance court, on January 20, 2022, revised the sentences. The court considered the spontaneous nature of the crime, the brothers' confession, and their repeated expressions of remorse, concluding that they still had potential for rehabilitation. A was sentenced to a long-term prison sentence of 12 years and a short-term sentence of 7 years, while B received a sentence of 2 years and 6 months, suspended for 3 years, along with a requirement to complete 40 hours of violence prevention and psychological counseling.

After the sentencing, the presiding judge gave the brothers a collection of novels by the late author Park Wan-seo (박완서), titled “The Bicycle Thief,” and urged them, “Read it carefully, and think about how you want to live your future. I’ve also included a letter, which you must read.”

The book tells the story of a boy who strives to maintain his conscience in a materialistic society. While B decided not to appeal, the prosecution and A filed appeals, moving the case to the second trial. During the second trial, A pleaded for leniency for his brother, stating, “My brother is not at fault; I hope the judge can give him a lighter sentence.” B, in turn, pleaded, “Please do not increase my brother’s sentence.”

The biological mother of the brothers also testified, stating that she currently lives with her younger son and maintains contact with her elder son through letters and visits. She implored the court to give her children a chance to reform, while also expressing deep apologies to her deceased in-laws.

On May 12, 2022, the High Court upheld the original verdict, rejecting both appeals. The judge noted that although the crime was extremely heinous, it was a first offense, and the defendants had confessed and shown genuine remorse, concluding that the first-instance judgment was within a reasonable range. A, who is currently serving his sentence, is expected to be released on August 31, 2028, if he does not re-offend.

Translated Korean Netizen Comments

1. Stabbed 61 times, and the grandfather should go with the grandmother? But what? Accidental? Potential for rehabilitation?
2. Judge, you scumbag, try getting hit in the head 61 times and then call it an accident.
3. My heart truly aches ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

4. He'll be out in '28...? Is he even human?
5. What kind of verdict is this... it's truly so cruel it gives me goosebumps... Wow... humanity shattered.
6. So judges get retirement benefits even if they make absurd rulings.

7. How can this be considered a first offense? So if I kill a judge, is that also a first offense?
8. Killing family... can it be viewed this way just because it's a first offense? They should be isolated from society.
9. Please stop accepting letters of remorse; what's a letter of remorse when a human life is at stake?

10. An underage person stabbed someone 61 times, and mere verbal remorse is enough? What crime will they commit when they come out at thirty? Not to mention potential parole.
11. Planned via KakaoTalk, stabbed 61 times, showered and sprayed perfume afterward—is this an accident? Haha.
12. Most murderers are first-time offenders, right? Reducing a murder sentence because it's a first offense makes no sense.

13. Admitting guilt leads to a reduced sentence, that's hilarious. In this situation, who wouldn't admit it?
14. Why are letters of remorse accepted for murder? What a crazy country.
15. How will the grandfather live? Do such people deserve a chance?

16. It's patricide, why is the punishment so light? Is it because of the letters of remorse that the sentence was greatly reduced? If they kill again, the judge should be imprisoned too.
17. It was planned, so why is it considered accidental and not premeditated? Speechless.
18. In front of their grandfather, are these even humans...? How can they be rehabilitated? If they can 'accidentally' kill the grandmother who raised them, can they control themselves when someone else annoys them?