Abroad
South Korea man, in his 20s, allegedly beat mum-in-law to death, dumped body inside suitcase into river
He had also allegedly threatened his wife and told her not to report the crime.
April 08, 2026, 02:32 PM
A South Korea man and his wife were charged on Apr. 1 after the man allegedly beat his mother-in-law to death and disposed of her body in a river.
The couple was charged with parricide.
via South Korea media
According to Korea JoongAng Daily, the man, surnamed Cho and in his 20s, had physically abused the woman since she moved in with him and her daughter in September 2025.
He claimed that he did so as she was "noisy" and untidy, reported Yonhap.
Woman stayed with couple to prevent man's domestic abuse
Daegu police said Choi had allegedly started physically abusing the woman's daughter, surnamed Choi, after they got married in September 2025.
The older woman, in her 50s, later moved in with them to prevent further domestic abuse of her daughter.
Cho also started beating her in February 2026 after the family relocated to a studio apartment in the city's Jung District.
However, she continued staying in the house despite her daughter's repeated pleas to leave.
Cho continued beating the woman, allegedly resulting in her death on Mar. 18.
Placed body in suitcase, told wife not to tell anyone
Cho then put the woman's body in a suitcase and disposed of it in the Sincheon Stream with Choi.
He had also allegedly threatened Choi, instructing her not to report the crime and avoid contacting anyone.
He also followed his wife around until her mother's body was discovered.
Choi had allegedly kept the matter from the authorities out of fear of retaliation.
Woman suffered multiple injuries leading to death
Cho and Choi were arrested on Mar. 31 after the body was found earlier that day at around 10:30am (South Korea time).
An autopsy revealed that the older woman had suffered multiple traumatic injuries caused by external force, which caused her death.
Her husband, who lived elsewhere, was reportedly unaware of the incident.
Cho and Choi later admitted to disposing of the body.
Cho claimed he had killed the woman as she was "noisy" while doing the dishes and "did not organise things properly".
In South Korea, those found guilty of the offence of parricide may be sentenced to death, jailed for life, or jailed for at least seven years.
Additional charges related to domestic violence against Choi may also be considered.
Top photos by Korea JoongAng Daily
