Gwangju schoolgirl murder suspect admits rape-murder charge

Jang Yoon-gi, center, a suspect in the murder of a high school student and an assault with a weapon on another student, stands in front of Gwangju Seobu Police Station, May 14. Yonhap

Jang Yoon-gi, the 23-year-old suspected of killing a high school girl in Gwangju, admitted to all charges against him on Monday, including the full rape-murder charge.

During a trial in Gwangju, Jang, who was indicted last month on charges of stabbing and killing the 16-year-old girl in the southwestern city in May after following her with intent to rape, told the court “I admit all the charges.”

During a previous hearing on June 22, Jang had admitted to the murder charges, but said he would clarify his position on the rape-murder charges at the next trial.

He also faces charges of attacking another student with a knife when that person tried to intervene.

The case made headlines not only for its brutality but also for an alleged cover-up attempt by police, fueled by the fact that the suspect's father is a police officer.