South Korean man charged with mother-in-law's murder and wife's kidnapping

A 26-year-old man, Kim Seong-woo, has been referred to prosecutors on charges of retaliatory murder, kidnapping, and special assault following a violent incident in Seoul's Songpa District. On October 11, Kim allegedly stabbed and killed his mother-in-law while attempting to forcibly abduct his wife. After the killing, he drove the victim to a mountain in Yangyang County, Gangwon Province, where she was eventually rescued by police.

The victim reported a history of domestic violence and claimed that Kim had coerced her into marriage. Despite a court-ordered restraining order, investigations revealed that Kim stalked the victim 18 times over a one-month period, including nine instances that occurred while he was legally prohibited from approaching her residence.

Police believe the attack was a retaliatory measure following the victim's reports of domestic violence and her filing for an annulment of their marriage. In response to the case, the Korean National Police Agency is pursuing legislative changes to allow the use of electronic monitoring devices, such as ankle bracelets, for domestic violence offenders who violate restraining orders.