A man in his 50s who used a private detective agency to find his son's new residence and then went there with a knife in an attempt to kill him has been sentenced to prison.
The 12th Criminal Division of the Gwangju District Court (presiding judge Jang Woo-seok) on the 24th sentenced A, 59, who was indicted on charges including attempted murder and trespassing, to three years in prison and ordered him to complete a 120-hour domestic violence treatment program.
A was brought to trial on charges that he trespassed on the apartment complex where his son B lives on April 17 and attempted to stab B with a knife he had prepared in advance, but failed.
A, who was in the middle of divorce proceedings, used a private detective agency to find the new residence to which his son and spouse had moved.
A had also visited his son's home two days before the crime. At the time, he was told by B, "I have filed for a restraining order, so never come back again," but two days later he returned to his son's home carrying the knife he had prepared.
When B opened the front door, A swung the knife. Fortunately, B stepped backward and avoided it, so he was not injured and the crime ended in an attempt.
The court judged that the nature of the crime was serious, considering the premeditation of the crime and the suffering the victim and family had endured.
"After finding out the victim's new residence and being notified of the restraining order filing, the defendant prepared a knife in advance and went back to commit the crime," the court ruled. "Considering the motive and circumstances of the crime, the degree of planning and preparation, the means and methods, and the fact that the victim and family suffered for a long period, the nature of the crime is very serious."
However, the court explained that it took into account mitigating factors, including that A admitted to the crime and showed remorse, that B was not injured, and that the victim expressed his wish not to have him punished.
