A Chinese international student has been found dead in South Korea after police arrested a Chinese national who reportedly worked part-time as a lecturer at a university.
The suspect, identified by Korean media as Jeong, had initially contacted authorities to report the woman missing. He reportedly told police that he was her boyfriend.
Investigators later arrested him on suspicion of murder after the woman’s body was discovered at a residence connected to him.
According to reports cited by The Korea Herald and Korean media, CCTV footage around the property has become a key part of the investigation, showing the victim entering the building with Jeong before the suspect was later seen outside alone.
CCTV allegedly captured suspect disguising himself
The footage reportedly showed the woman arriving at the residence at around 2am, pulling a suitcase behind her. She then entered the building together with Jeong.
She was not seen leaving the property afterwards, according to investigators.
Later that same day, at approximately 10.30pm, CCTV allegedly captured Jeong emerging from the building wearing clothing apparently intended to resemble the missing woman.
Reports said he was wearing a skirt, hat and mask.
Investigators reportedly believe the unusual disguise may have been an attempt to create the impression that the woman was still alive and had left the residence.
The development has raised questions over the suspect’s alleged attempts to conceal what had happened inside the property.
Body allegedly dismembered and disposed of at different locations
Police reportedly allege that Jeong subsequently dismembered the victim’s body and disposed of the remains at several different locations.
The discovery of the remains and the subsequent CCTV investigation reportedly helped investigators connect the suspect to the woman’s disappearance.
The case has attracted significant attention in South Korea because of the alleged steps taken to mislead investigators and create the appearance that the victim had remained alive after entering the residence.
Jeong was reportedly arrested following the investigation and is facing allegations relating to the woman’s death. The case remains under investigation, and the allegations against him have not been established in court.
Suspect reportedly refused psychopathy assessment
Korean media also reported that police had planned to conduct a psychopathy assessment on Jeong as part of their investigation.
However, he reportedly refused to undergo the assessment.
Such evaluations can form part of investigations into serious violent offences, although refusing an assessment does not by itself establish a person’s guilt or provide an explanation for the alleged conduct.
Authorities are continuing to examine CCTV footage, the circumstances surrounding the victim’s death and the suspect’s movements before and after she entered his residence.
The investigation is expected to determine what led to the incident and whether further evidence can establish the full sequence of events.
The victim was a Chinese national studying in South Korea, while the suspect was also reportedly Chinese and had worked as a part-time university lecturer.