BBC

Accessibility links

BBC News Updated every minute of every day
News Front Page Africa Americas Asia-Pacific Europe Middle East South Asia UK Business Health Science & Environment Technology Entertainment Also in the news ----------------- Video and Audio ----------------- Programmes Have Your Say In Pictures Country Profiles Special Reports

Related BBC sites

Languages

Page last updated at 14:19 GMT, Sunday, 22 November 2009
E-mail this to a friend
Printable version

South Korean mass murderer kills himself on death row



Jeong Nam-kyu (file pic: 2006) Jeong Nam-kyu committed murder, robbery, assault and rape

One of South Korea's most prolific mass murderers has killed himself while on death row.

The Justice Ministry said Jeong Nam-kyu died in hospital on Sunday - a day after being found hanging in his cell.

In 2007, the 40-year-old was convicted of murdering 13 people and robbing, raping and assaulting 20 others during a two year spree.

Although South Korea still has the death penalty, it has not carried out an execution in 12 years.

'Suicide note'

In a statement, the ministry said Jeong is thought to have died from a heart attack or brain injuries resulting from what is believed to be his suicide attempt.

He was found guilty on a range of charges from 2004 including mass murder, robbery, assault and rape.

He is believed to have left a note indicating he was worried about his execution, the Associated Press news agency reported.

No will has been discovered, although reports say the note said: "Life is like a cloud."

The last execution in the country took place in 1997.

The following year Kim Dae-jung, who was sentenced to death under the country's military rulers in 1980 before being pardoned, took office as president.



Bookmark with:

What are these?


E-mail this to a friend
Printable version

Print Sponsor



SEE ALSO Country profile: South Korea
10 Mar 10 |  Country profiles Korean killer gets death penalty
22 Apr 09 |  Asia-Pacific

TOP ASIA-PACIFIC STORIES Thai protesters parade in Bangkok
Rio Tinto signs China mine deal
Sandstorm shrouds Beijing in dust

MOST POPULAR STORIES NOW

Most popular now, in detail Most popular now, in detail Most popular now, in detail

FEATURES, VIEWS, ANALYSIS

Scene of the massacre in the South African township of Sharpeville on March 21st 1960. The police opened fired on a demonstration against apartheid laws, killing 69 people, and wounding 180. Sharpeville ghosts
Unease as South Africa remembers 1960 massacre

Lambs snuggling Singing in the rain
The joy of spring is hard to resist, says Simon Schama

An elephant at Kruger Park, South Africa Hide and seek
South Africa's forest elephants keep people guessing
Most Popular Now

Most Popular Now | 35,457 people are reading stories on the site right now.


Skip to top

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Explore the BBC

Home

Popular links

A to F

  1. BBC iPlayer
  2. CBBC
  3. CBeebies
  4. Food

H to L

  1. Health & Parenting
  2. History
  3. Learning
  4. Local & Nations

M to Sc

  1. Music
  2. News
  3. Radio
  4. Science & Nature

Sp to W

  1. Sport
  2. TV
  3. Weather

A whole lot more from the BBC

Back to start of navigation

Site links

BBC links

Quantcast

BBC © MMX

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.
Americas  Africa  Europe  Middle East  South Asia  Asia Pacific 

watch One-Minute World News

Change Text Only Settings

Graphic version of this page