# Jang Yoon-gi sentenced to life imprisonment

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/jang-yoon-gi-rape-murder-case
> Updated: 2026-09-30T00:27:06.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2.

On May 30, the Gwangju District Court sentenced Jang Yoon-gi to life imprisonment for the kidnapping and murder of a high school student. Although prosecutors had requested the death penalty, the court cited South Korea’s status as a de facto abolitionist state and the absence of an absolute life sentence option as reasons for the decision.

The court also ordered the attachment of an electronic ankle monitor and a 10-year restriction on Jang’s employment at institutions involving children, adolescents, or the disabled. While the court acknowledged the necessity of permanently isolating the defendant from society, it opted for life imprisonment over execution.

The ruling has drawn intense criticism from multiple parties. The victim’s family expressed profound grief and anger, accusing the court of prioritizing the criminal’s rights over the victim’s. They have announced plans to appeal, seeking a death sentence and advocating for the legalization of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Furthermore, women’s rights organizations criticized the verdict for failing to categorize the crime as a manifestation of misogynistic violence, arguing that the court treated a structural issue as an isolated incident of individual deviance.

## Claims

- Jang Yoon-gi was sentenced to life imprisonment in his first trial. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The court cited South Korea's status as a de facto abolitionist state and the lack of an absolute life sentence option as reasons for not imposing the death penalty. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The court ordered the attachment of an electronic ankle monitor and a 10-year employment restriction at institutions involving children, adolescents, or the disabled. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The prosecution had previously requested the death penalty for Jang Yoon-gi. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The victim's family and legal counsel plan to appeal the sentence to seek the death penalty. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Women's rights groups criticized the ruling for failing to address the misogynistic nature of the crimes. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-30: Jang Yoon-gi sentenced to life imprisonment for high school girl's murder

Jang Yoon-gi was sentenced to life imprisonment for the kidnapping and murder of a high school girl in Gwangju. The victim's family and women's rights groups have criticized the ruling.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jang-yoon-gi-faces-sentencing-for-high-school-student-rape-murder

### 2026-09-27: Jang Yoon-gi faces sentencing for high school student's rape-murder

The Gwangju District Court will sentence Jang Yoon-gi on January 30 for the rape-murder of a high school student. Prosecutors have sought the death penalty amid controversy over the initial police investigation

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jang-yoon-gi-faces-sentencing-for-high-school-students-rape-murder

---
Cite as: Jang Yoon-gi sentenced to life imprisonment. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/jang-yoon-gi-rape-murder-case