Kang Ho-sun | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 10, 1969 |
| Height | 171 cm (5 ft 7 in) |
| Motive | Lust murder |
| Criminal penalty | Death |
| Details | |
| Victims | 10 |
Span of crimes | 2005–2008 |
| Location(s) | Gyeonggi Province |
Date apprehended | January 27, 2009 |
| Imprisoned at | Seoul Detention Center |
Kang Ho-sun (Korean: 강호순; Hanja: 姜浩順; born October 10, 1969) is a South Korean serial killer who was sentenced to death in 2010 for killing 10 women between October 2005 and December 2008, including his wife and mother-in-law.[1]
The murders took place in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province. His first victim was Bae, a 45-year-old karaoke bar employee, followed by three murders in 2007 including a 48-year-old housewife and a 21-year-old student from Suwon; their bodies were found in the woods.[2] Kang was arrested by the police in 2009 and following the two-day investigation that ensued, he confessed to 10 murders.[3] More victim remains have since been discovered and identified using DNA evidence. The families of the victims sued Kang for damages.[4]
His crimes were depicted in 2022 South Korean TV series, Through the Darkness.
Upon confessing to murdering 10 women, Kang was found guilty of rape, murder and arson and was sentenced to death by a court in Ansan on April 22, 2009.[5] While death by hanging remains on South Korea's statute books, an informal moratorium on the Korean death sentence has been in place since 1997.[5][6]
During his early days in prison, Kang acted like a king of the other prisoners and never seemed apologetic or remorseful, according to a prison officer. He said Kang seemed to realize his position only after Jeong Nam-gyu, a serial killer who was also sentenced to death, committed suicide because of the pressure of the death penalty.[7]