A 28-year-old woman in South Korea has died after her boyfriend allegedly beat her more than 500 times over three-and-a-half hours in what has been described as a killing involving torture.
The case was highlighted in the latest episode of SBS investigative programme Unanswered Questions, which aired over the weekend.
The victim, identified by the pseudonym Lim Jan-di, lived with her 24-year-old boyfriend, Jeon, in Seoul’s Gangseo-gu district.
Jeon contacted emergency services on June 20 after finding Lim unconscious.
Paramedics who arrived at the apartment reportedly found that Lim had suffered cardiac arrest and showed signs of severe physical abuse.
According to SBS News, a post-mortem examination found that Lim had 21 fractured ribs, while several of her internal organs had ruptured.
CCTV footage from the couple’s apartment reportedly showed Jeon striking Lim approximately 515 times over three hours and 30 minutes.
The programme’s production team also examined files and documents stored on the victim’s mobile phone, discovering that the couple had created what they described as a fictional country with their own set of rules.
They called the rules “gukpeu” and had reportedly agreed to follow them in an attempt to reduce arguments.
Under the rules, anyone caught lying would no longer be entitled to humane treatment, while explanations or excuses would not be accepted once punishment had been imposed.
SBS News reported that Jeon admitted to beating Lim but claimed he had not intended to kill his girlfriend.
