Man given life sentence for murdering parents

SEOUL, Jan. 12 (Yonhap) -- A Seoul court has sentenced a South Korean man to life
in prison for killing his parents by setting the family's house on fire,
officials said Tuesday.

Prosecutors indicted the 29-year-old, identified only his surname Kang, for
setting his house on fire last October after complaining that his mother favored
his newborn half-brother. His parents were burned to death and his stepbrother
was seriously injured in the blaze.
"Kang planned the crime because his mother and stepfather, who were preoccupied
with religion, did not pay attention to him," the Seoul Central District Court
said in its ruling. "After setting the house on fire, (Kang) made no effort to
rescue his parents."
"As insurance money was expected from his parents' death, Kang tried to use the
payment for his legal fees, and showed no remorse for his actions. Considering
these circumstances, he must be isolated from society," the court said.
During the investigation, Kang said the arson was inspired by a scene from a
Korean movie in which a main character kills his parents seeking money and sets
fire to their house to cover up his crime, officials said.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
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