Stabbing rampage suspect sentenced to life imprisonment

SEOUL, A court on Wednesday sentenced a Seoul stabbing rampage suspect to life in prison.

The Seoul Central District Court handed out the life sentence to Cho Seon, 34, who was indicted for stabbing one man to death and wounding three others near a subway station in southern Seoul last July. He was also ordered to wear an electronic tracking device for 30 years.

Cho, who had never met all the victims before, claimed mental and physical disorders as a motive behind his crimes. Prosecutors demanded the death penalty for him in the prior trial.

Cho’s stabbing spree shocked the country and sparked fears of random attacks as all the victims were complete strangers.

The court said Cho committed the crimes in an extremely cruel and vicious manner, causing a huge social stir and triggering copycat and similar crimes all over the country.

Source: Yonhap News Agency