Arrest warrant issued for man in murder of girl assaulted by his son

A court issued a warrant on Friday for the arrest of a 59-year-old man suspected of murdering a 15-year-old girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted by his son. The suspect was apprehended by police on Wednesday at a short-term rental property in northern Seoul, following the alleged murder the previous day. The Seoul Northern District Court issued the warrant due to concerns the suspect could destroy evidence or flee the country.

Investigators claim the suspect had purchased a weapon and a charcoal briquette on the day of the crime and entered the rental property with the girl. He left the building alone approximately three hours later, destroyed the victim's cell phone, and discarded it. The girl, who frequently ran away from home and reported family troubles to the police, was found to have been a victim of statutory rape involving the son of the murder suspect in January.

A prosecution investigation was under way following a complaint from her parents at the time of the arrest.