Lee Hyo-jin covers the Bank of Korea, the banking industry and broader financial news. Her previous beats include foreign affairs, North Korea and general reporting on Korean society.
Man attacks friend with knife for 'not visiting during coronavirus crisis'
A man in his 60s has received a suspended jail sentence for a knife attack on a friend. GETTYIMAGESBANK
By Lee Hyo-jin
By Lee Hyo-jin
A man in his 60s, who attacked a friend with a kitchen knife after believing the friend had used the coronavirus pandemic as an excuse for not visiting him, has received a suspended jail sentence.
According to the Seoul Eastern District Court Wednesday, Judge Kim Jae-eun sentenced the man, surnamed Lee, to six months in prison, suspended for two years, on June 5. The court also ordered monitoring of his whereabouts and 80 hours of community service.
Lee was accused of attacking the friend at his home in Songpa District, Seoul, about 11:50 p.m. on Feb. 25, injuring the man's neck, according to the Seoul Economic Daily.
Lee said he got upset while drinking with the victim, as he thought his friend had been avoiding him by using the pandemic as an excuse.
“Lee's actions might have led to a severe injury,” the court said. “He has a criminal record, with a suspended prison sentence for a similar crime in the past.
“The defendant fully admits his crime and regrets it. Also, the victim does not want the defendant to be punished.”