Why are police investigating a possible criminal group in the Seoul teenage girl murder case?

Police are examining whether the suspect, his son, the woman who rented the property and the girl were involved in a group that extorted money by using compensated dating as a pretext.

What charges are being investigated against the suspect’s son, the woman and the 15-year-old girl?

The Seoul Nowon Police Station has been investigating them on charges including theft, receiving stolen property and fraud. The suspect’s son is also under investigation by prosecutors over the alleged January sexual offense involving the girl.

Police to seek arrest warrant for man in 15-year-old girl's murder

Q: What does South Korean law say about sexual intercourse with someone under 16?

The article states that sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 16 constitutes statutory rape under the law, even if it is consensual.

Listen

Summary

A 59-year-old man was detained Wednesday in northern Seoul on suspicion of killing a 15-year-old girl at a short-term rental property, and police said Thursday they plan to seek an arrest warrant. The girl was reportedly sexually assaulted by the suspect’s son in January, and the son is under investigation by prosecutors. Police are also investigating whether the four individuals were involved in a criminal group that extorted money using compensated dating as a pretext.

Key Facts

The suspect was reportedly heavily intoxicated when the alleged murder occurred and has continued to refuse to give a statement after sobering up.
The rental property was reportedly rented by a woman in her 20s who was in a de facto marital relationship with the suspect.
The Seoul Nowon Police Station has been investigating the suspect’s son, the woman and the girl on charges including theft, receiving stolen property and fraud.
By law, sexual intercourse with a person under 16 constitutes statutory rape even if consensual.

By Yonhap

Published Nov 12, 2026 10:25 am KST

Police said Thursday they plan to request an arrest warrant for a man in his 50s apprehended the previous day on suspicion of killing a 15-year-old girl who was reportedly sexually assaulted by his son.

The 59-year-old suspect, whose identity was withheld, was detained Wednesday after allegedly murdering the girl at a short-term rental property in northern Seoul while heavily intoxicated, according to the Seoul Seongbuk Police Station.

The girl was reportedly a victim of statutory rape in a case involving the suspect's son, who is in his 20s. The alleged offense took place in January. By law, sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 16 constitutes statutory rape even if consensual. The son has been under investigation by prosecutors.

The police said the murder suspect has continued to refuse to give a statement even after sobering up.

The rental property where the murder took place was reportedly rented by a woman in her 20s who was in a de facto marital relationship with the murder suspect.

The police said they are investigating the possibility that all of the four individuals may have been involved in a criminal group that extorted money by using "compensated dating" as a pretext.

The Seoul Nowon Police Station has also been investigating the suspect's son, the woman and the girl on charges including theft, receiving stolen property and fraud.

Explore More