A female suspect accused of killing two men by giving them drug-laced drinks in northern Seoul has been diagnosed as a psychopath, police said Wednesday, as text messages between her and one victim were made public.
The Seoul Gangbuk Police Station announced that suspect Kim, in her 20s, tested positive for psychopathy under the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) assessment. The results were forwarded to prosecutors on Wednesday.
Kim was indicted on charges of murder, aggravated assault, and violations of the Narcotics Control Act and transferred to the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office on Feb. 19.
According to police, Kim allegedly killed two men at a motel in Suyu-dong, Gangbuk-gu, in January and February by offering them drinks she claimed were "fatigue recovery supplements." She is also accused of drugging a man into unconsciousness at a cafe parking lot in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, in December last year.
Two additional victims who lost consciousness after receiving drinks from Kim in October last year and January have come forward since the case was referred to prosecutors, bringing the total known victim count to at least five.
Despite the psychopathy diagnosis, Kim's motive remains unclear. She reportedly told police she had "disagreements with the men and gave them drinks to put them to sleep so she could leave."
Text messages released by a YouTuber revealed how Kim lured victims. "I would visit (your place) if it were in Seoul," she wrote to the second victim, who died on Feb. 9. After arranging to meet, she messaged: "I know a delicious place, but it's delivery only. Want to have drinks in a room?" and "Since it's delivery only, we'll have to get a room to eat."
Police said Kim prepared her tools in advance and used ChatGPT to search for information about drug effects and mortality rates before and after the crimes. When officers arrested her near her residence in Mia-dong, Gangbuk-gu, on Feb. 10, they found large quantities of drugs and the beverages used in the killings at her home.
Legal experts say Kim faces a heavy sentence given her psychopathy diagnosis and the mounting number of victims.
