[Herald DB]
[Herald DB]

Prosecutors have sought the maximum sentence for a teenager who attacked three members of a family — a fellow student, her mother and her sister — with a weapon at an apartment in Wonju, Gangwon Province.

At the sentencing hearing Thursday for A (16), charged with attempted murder and other offenses, prosecutors called for a 20-year prison term before the First Criminal Division of the Wonju Branch of Chuncheon District Court, presided over by Chief Judge Kim Ji-hyun.

Under current law, juvenile offenders under 18 convicted of certain violent crimes may be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in prison. Prosecutors also called for orders requiring A to complete a sexual violence treatment program, as well as disclosure of his personal information, public notification and probation.

A was indicted on charges of attempted murder after allegedly attacking three people — a teenage girl identified as B, her mother and her younger sister — with a weapon he had prepared in advance at an apartment in Dangu-dong, Wonju, at around 9:12 a.m. on Feb. 5.

B's mother suffered serious injuries to her neck, while B and her younger sister sustained wounds to their right arms and shoulders.

Police, responding after a neighbor reported hearing cries for help, arrested A near the apartment.

During the police investigation, A reportedly told investigators that he carried out the attack because B had humiliated him at a sports hagwon the previous day, Wednesday. He was taken into detention the day after the attack.

A's first-instance sentencing is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 20.

After the incident, the victims' family posted a petition on the National Assembly's online petition board calling for tougher criminal penalties for minors and criticizing current sentencing guidelines that reduce punishment on account of a perpetrator's young age.

"The act of indiscriminately attacking women with a bladed weapon and a blunt object is clearly a crime in which intent to kill can be recognized," the author wrote. "This is by no means an impulsive act or simple assault — it is an extremely brutal and serious violent crime."

The petition gathered about 70,000 signatures within 30 days of being posted and has been referred to the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee. Petitioners said the perpetrator "cannot be excused for being a minor" and called for severe punishment.


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