South Korean man admits to murdering girlfriend, hiding body in cement

A South Korean man has confessed to the murder of his girlfriend, revealing that he concealed her body in cement—a gruesome act that went undiscovered for 16 years. The suspect, identified only as Mr. A and now in his 50s, confessed to police that he struck the woman during a violent argument at his apartment in the coastal city of Geoje.

The incident occurred in October 2008 when Mr. A admitted to hitting his girlfriend with a blunt object. In a panic, he placed her body inside a suitcase and buried it beneath bricks and cement on the small balcony of his third-floor studio apartment. The body remained hidden until last month, when a maintenance worker drilling on the balcony stumbled upon the suitcase, prompting the investigation that ultimately led to Mr. A’s confession.

Local media reported that the body was partially preserved due to the suitcase, and authorities were able to identify the victim through fingerprint analysis. An autopsy confirmed the cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head. At the time of her death, the woman was in her 30s and had not been reported missing by her family until three years later. Authorities noted that her family had lost touch with her and were misled during their search, being told she had left Geoje following a breakup with Mr. A.

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After the murder, Mr. A continued to reside in the apartment for another eight years, even after being arrested on drug charges in 2016. Following his arrest, the apartment remained vacant, with the landlord using it as storage space.

The mystery surrounding the woman’s disappearance was finally unraveled this year when the building’s owner ordered waterproofing work, leading to the shocking discovery. Police are now intensifying their investigation and are expected to formally charge Mr. A with murder.

Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding the case to come forward as the investigation unfolds. This tragic case underscores the lengths to which some will go to conceal their actions, leaving a chilling mark on the community of Geoje.