By Lee Kyung-min
Police detained a man who is suspected of having beaten a woman, 22, to death and discarding her body near a stream in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, it said Wednesday.
Police said the man, 32, whose identity is being withheld, was apprehended at 1:10 a.m. in Sokcho, Gangwon Province.
Police sought to locate the man after identifying him as the suspect following interviews with the woman’s family and friends. Investigators also reviewed the woman’s phone history.
The apprehension came less than a day after the woman’s naked body was found near the stream at 6:40 a.m. Tuesday.
Police said the woman had severe cuts and bruises on her face which they believe indicated signs of a violent beating. They found bloodstained clothes believed to have been worn by the woman nearby.
Police also found bloodstains on the nearby road, covered by sand which they suspect was an attempt to remove the stains.
Officials from the National Forensic Service said they plan to conduct an autopsy to identify the exact cause of death.
Police plan to seek an arrest warrant for the man later in the day.