‘That’s What I Want to Know’ covers the death of a famous instructor.
On the upcoming broadcast of SBS's current affairs program ‘That’s What I Want to Know’ on the 2nd, the secrets behind the death of a famous instructor will be explored.
The Sudden Death of a Respected Teacher
At around 3 AM on February 15, an urgent 112 call was received reporting that a husband seemed to have died. A man was found bleeding and collapsed in the living room, with severe injuries to his face, and next to him were a liquor bottle and a kitchen knife. He was taken to the hospital but ultimately died 11 hours later. Many were shocked when his identity was revealed.
“I believe he was in the hospital on my exam day, and he called me directly to ask how I did on the exam. Where can you find someone like that?” - Late Choi Seong-jin's student
The late Choi Seong-jin (55 at the time of death) was known as a top instructor in real estate law. He was famous for his exceptional passion and engaging lectures, but the reason he was respected and trusted was different. He would share his personal number with students, encouraging them to contact him anytime with questions, and he communicated through an online cafe even late into the night, making him an approachable teacher.
Justifiable Homicide vs. Murder
“I never had a second of doubt that such an incident would occur. The family I saw had a very good relationship.” - Friend of the late Choi Seong-jin
There were no signs of external intrusion, and at the time, only the couple was at home. His wife, Yoon (pseudonym), reportedly confessed to the crime. Choi Seong-jin would lecture in Seoul during the week and spend weekends at their home in Pyeongtaek with his wife. The tragedy occurred on the day he returned home. What could have happened between the couple, known as a loving pair for 18 years?
On that day, after having dinner with her husband, Yoon stated that there was an argument over his infidelity while they were drinking together. During the argument, her intoxicated husband suddenly began to curse and threatened her with a kitchen knife, prompting Yoon to grab a 1.75L liquor bottle filled with homemade liquor from the living room. During the struggle, she swung the liquor bottle, and her husband, who was standing, was struck on the head and collapsed.
The Truth Revealed by Bloodstains and a Cell Phone
Yoon claimed that she only swung the liquor bottle impulsively to defend herself and had no intention of killing her husband. The production team reconstructed the scene based on photographs of the room where only the two were present and conducted impact experiments. Would it be possible for a victim to die from a blow with a nearly 3kg liquor bottle swung by someone 20cm shorter, as Yoon claimed?
In a situation where the only remaining clue was bloodstains, the bereaved family handed Choi Seong-jin's cell phone to the production team, and through forensics, messages exchanged between the couple since 2015 were recovered. Among the seemingly affectionate messages, significant conversations were discovered. What secrets were hidden between the couple?
‘That’s What I Want to Know’ will air on the 2nd at 11:10 PM.
[Lee Da-gyeom, Star Today Reporter]
