Daejeon police have detained a man in his 20s on suspicion of stabbing his former girlfriend, a woman in her 30s, to death in the Goejeong-dong area of Seo District. The attack took place around midday Tuesday and prompted a citywide search with roughly 150 officers. The suspect was apprehended in Jung District nearly a day after the incident.
Authorities said the man attempted to drink poison in his car shortly before his arrest, but was taken to the hospital and is now in stable condition. Investigators plan to question him about his motive and movements following the killing, as the case has drawn public concern in South Korea, where violent crimes of this nature are rare.
The suspect allegedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend to death on a street in front of her residence in Goejeong-dong, Seo District, Daejeon, around 12:08 p.m. Tuesday. The city, located 158 kilometers south of Seoul, witnessed a swift emergency response, but the victim was pronounced dead after being transported to a nearby hospital. Police said the man left his mobile phone and the murder weapon at the scene, helping investigators quickly identify him as the prime suspect.
When police approached the vehicle, the suspect attempted to ingest poison in an apparent suicide attempt. He was taken to a hospital and is now in stable condition, according to authorities. Once his health improves, he will be transferred to a police station for questioning about his motive and the details of his escape. An autopsy is planned to determine the precise cause of the victim’s death.
Police also revealed that the suspect had a history of violent behavior toward the victim. Since November 2024, he has been reported to the police four times for incidents including assault, property damage, trespassing, and obstruction of justice. On June 27, he allegedly assaulted the victim and responding officers while intoxicated, prompting authorities to advise the woman to use a protective smartwatch. She reportedly declined and requested that he not face punishment.
The series of prior reports has drawn public scrutiny of the handling of domestic violence cases. Despite repeated incidents, no preventive measures successfully deterred the suspect. Police confirmed that he visited the victim’s home shortly before the attack, and that their relationship had ended, leaving ongoing personal conflicts unresolved.
Authorities said they are continuing to investigate the suspect’s motive and whether the killing was premeditated. The case has shocked residents in Daejeon and raised concerns about gaps in protecting victims of intimate partner violence in South Korea, where overall violent crime remains low but recent high-profile cases have sparked debate over law enforcement response.
