A South Korean mother is facing harsh backlash for killing her 7-month-old twin daughters amid extreme stress and depression. The case resurfaced after her husband tearfully admitted his past neglect and harsh words during her appeal trial.
The Gwangju High Court held the first appeal hearing on July 22 for Ms. A, previously sentenced to 8 years for murder. She killed her twins on November 18, 2024, in their apartment in Ungcheon-dong, Yeosu, South Jeolla Province. The babies were found dead in separate rooms after Ms. A’s husband left for work. She turned herself in to police around 12:40 p.m. the same day.
Investigations revealed Ms. A suffered from severe depression and stress caused by raising the twins almost entirely alone. She frequently argued with her husband, whose lack of support worsened her condition.
Her husband appeared as a victim representative and begged for leniency. He admitted fault, saying he took her depression too lightly and failed to support her.
“I feel like I’m the real perpetrator, not the victim. It’s all my fault. I didn’t support her because I took her depression too lightly. I even said things like, ‘What’s so hard about raising kids? Do you know how hard it is to work outside? If that’s how you feel, leave the kids and go — I can do it all myself.’
We didn’t get along, and there were times I hit her. After everything happened, I deeply regretted my actions, reflected on myself, and apologized to her, asking for forgiveness. I still haven’t been able to pack away my daughters’ belongings. I’m asking for forgiveness from my children too, telling them everything was their father’s fault.”
The first court ruling harshly condemned the crime, noting the twins were asleep and unaware when killed. But it also cited Ms. A’s severe depression triggered by her husband’s criticism on financial hardship and childrearing as mitigating factors for the 8-year sentence.
The second appeal hearing is set for August 26. The tragic case continues to draw attention and debate on parental pressures and domestic support in South Korea.
