South Korean man, 24, who allegedly killed girl, 17, had intended to sexually assault her: Prosecutors

A man in South Korea stabbed a female high school student to death and injured another who tried to help her on May 5.

The 24-year-old suspect, surnamed Jang, later told police he acted without a clear motive.

He had said he made the decision while contemplating suicide, reported The Korea Herald.

Prosecutors, however, said Jang had actually intended to sexually assault the girl.

According JoonAng Daily, Jang had allegedly subdued the victim from behind and attempted to drag her toward his vehicle.

Prosecutors said this method resembled a previous sexual assault that Jang committed against a Vietnamese woman who had worked with him at a part-time job.

Prosecutors also included charges related to the attack on the Vietnamese woman.

Family remembers girl

The Korea Herald reported that the family of the high school girl had disclosed her name and portrait to local media.

They said they hoped people would remember her as Lee Chae-Won, a 17-year-old with dreams of becoming an emergency responder, rather than an unnamed victim.

Lee’s father also hoped that by revealing her identity, her death would help prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The victim's parents also called for a stern sentence against the suspect, saying he should be permanently barred from society.

According to The Herald, Lee's mother said the only thing the family could still do for her was to ensure that the tragedy is not forgotten.