"I was going to die anyway, so I wanted to take someone with me."
A man in his 20s who fatally stabbed a high school girl and injured another student in downtown Gwangju made this statement during police questioning. Police are investigating the possibility that the attack was a premeditated crime rather than a simple impulsive act, as evidence of preparation and attempts to destroy evidence have emerged.
According to the Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency on Monday, Jang (24), who was arrested on charges of murder and attempted murder, told investigators, "I was contemplating suicide and thought I should take someone with me," describing his motive.
Police investigations revealed that Jang had been carrying two knives around the Gwangsan District area for two days before the incident. Both were household kitchen knives, and only one was actually used in the attack. The other was still in its unopened packaging.
The first victim was a 17-year-old high school girl who was walking home alone after late-night self-study. Jang is believed to have targeted her after encountering her by chance twice near a residential area in Wolgye-dong, Gwangsan District, around 12:10 a.m. on the 5th.
The victim died from severe neck injuries. The National Forensic Service determined in its preliminary autopsy that the cause of death was "a cervical stab wound inflicted by a sharp instrument."
Another high school student who ran toward the scene after hearing screams was also attacked. The male student, a high school junior, sustained serious injuries but is not in life-threatening condition. Police believe Jang committed the additional attack to prevent others from intervening.
Immediately after the crime, Jang evaded police pursuit for about 11 hours. During this time, he abandoned his own vehicle, switched taxis multiple times, and wandered on foot around the crime scene, according to the investigation. He also attempted to destroy evidence by discarding the weapon in a drainage ditch and washing a blood-stained jacket at an unmanned laundromat.
Police consider these actions inconsistent with a typical impulsive crime. They are focusing their investigation on whether the attack was premeditated, based on the fact that he prepared weapons in advance and attempted to conceal his movements afterward.
Jang reportedly gave no clear answer when asked whether he had copied similar crimes, such as the "Park Dae-seong murder" that occurred in Suncheon, South Jeolla Province, in September 2024. Instead, he is said to have repeatedly stated only that "life was not enjoyable. I decided to commit the crime while contemplating suicide."
Police have also requested a digital forensic analysis of Jang's mobile phone. They plan to examine his internet search history and messenger conversations to determine whether he prepared for the crime and to assess his specific psychological state.
Authorities will also conduct a psychopathy diagnostic test (PCL-R) to determine whether he has antisocial personality disorder. The test evaluates 20 items, including lack of empathy, impulsivity, and callousness. In Korea, a score of 25 or higher classifies a subject as a psychopath.
The investigation so far has not identified any factors directly linked to the crime, such as drug use, intoxication, or a history of psychiatric treatment.
A pre-arrest detention review for Jang will be held at the Gwangju District Court at 11 a.m. Once the detention decision is made, police will also conduct a review on whether to disclose his personal information. If approved, it would be the first such case in the Gwangju region.
Meanwhile, the incident has renewed attention on the lack of crime prevention infrastructure in the area. Complaints had previously been filed near the crime scene requesting the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, citing concerns that "nighttime passage feels unsafe."
However, the CCTV cameras near the scene were too far from the crime location to clearly capture the suspect. Because only low-resolution footage was available during nighttime hours, only the lights of police cars and ambulances were reportedly identifiable at the time.
The Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education plans to request that Gwangsan District install additional crime prevention CCTV cameras in the area.
