Lee Choon-jae (Korean: 이춘재; born January 31, 1963) is a South Korean serial killer responsible for the Hwaseong serial murders, the most notorious unsolved criminal case in modern South Korean history. Between 1986 and 1991, a series of brutal sexual assaults and murders terrorized the rural city of Hwaseong in Gyeonggi Province. For decades, the perpetrator remained unidentified, despite an enormous police investigation. In 2019, advances in DNA technology finally revealed Lee as the killer, though legal limitations prevented him from being prosecuted for most of the crimes.
The Hwaseong murders left an enduring scar on South Korean society and exposed major flaws in policing, forensic science, and criminal justice. The case later inspired the acclaimed 2003 film Memories of Murder, which brought renewed international attention to the tragedy.
Early Life and Background
Lee Choon-jae was born and raised in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province. According to his family, he performed adequately in school and was generally able to socialize with others. During his childhood, his younger brother drowned, an event that reportedly caused long-lasting emotional trauma. However, there were no outward signs at the time that suggested the violent path Lee would later take.
After graduating from high school in 1983, Lee joined the Republic of Korea Army, serving as a tank driver. He was discharged in early 1986 and soon entered civilian life. Over the next several years, Lee worked irregularly in construction, including jobs as an unlicensed crane operator in Seoul and later in North Chungcheong Province. In 1992, he married and became a father, but behind closed doors, his home life was marked by alcoholism and repeated domestic violence.
The Hwaseong Serial Murders
The killings that would define Lee’s legacy began in September 1986. Over the next four years and seven months, women across Hwaseong and nearby areas were attacked, sexually assaulted, and murdered. The victims ranged widely in age, from teenagers to elderly women, but the crimes followed a chillingly consistent pattern.
Most victims were found bound and gagged, with signs of sexual assault. Many had been strangled using their own clothing, such as stockings or socks. The attacks often occurred on rainy nights in isolated rural areas, creating widespread fear among local residents.
The scale of the investigation was unprecedented in South Korea. Authorities committed more than two million man-days to the case, interrogated over 21,000 suspects, and collected tens of thousands of fingerprints and forensic samples. Despite this effort, the killer repeatedly evaded capture.
Investigation Errors and Public Fear
The Hwaseong investigation revealed significant weaknesses in policing methods of the era. Officers pursued countless leads, some based on rumors rather than evidence. At one point, police believed the killer targeted women wearing red clothing, prompting female officers to dress in red in an attempt to lure the suspect.
Eyewitness descriptions led to a composite sketch of a thin man in his mid-twenties, but the lack of reliable forensic tools made confirmation impossible. Police also incorrectly believed the suspect had blood type B, a conclusion later proven false.
The mounting pressure to solve the case led to devastating consequences. Several individuals investigated as suspects reportedly died by suicide after harsh interrogations, raising serious ethical concerns that would only fully come to light decades later.
The Wrongful Conviction of Yoon Sung-yeo
In 1989, a young man named Yoon Sung-yeo was arrested for the murder of a 14-year-old girl, the eighth victim in the Hwaseong series. Under intense questioning, Yoon confessed. Forensic analysis at the time claimed partial hair-sample matches, and he was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Yoon later recanted his confession, stating it had been coerced through abuse. His appeals were denied, and he spent nearly 20 years in prison before being released on parole. For decades, his conviction stood as one of the few “resolved” aspects of the Hwaseong case.
Murder of Lee’s Sister-in-Law
In January 1994, Lee committed a crime that would finally lead to his arrest. After his wife left him, Lee invited his teenage sister-in-law to his home. He drugged, sexually assaulted, and murdered her. In a disturbing display, Lee later assisted his in-laws in searching for her, pretending she had gone missing.
Police arrested Lee days later. Although he initially denied responsibility, he was convicted and sentenced to death in 1994. The sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment by the Supreme Court of Korea, with eligibility for parole after 20 years.
DNA Breakthrough and Confession
For years, the Hwaseong murders remained officially unsolved due to South Korea’s statute of limitations. Although the law was eventually abolished for murder, it did not apply retroactively. However, police preserved evidence, anticipating future advances in forensic science.
In September 2019, DNA from crime scene evidence was matched to Lee Choon-jae. At the time, he was already serving his life sentence in prison. Initially, Lee denied involvement, but weeks later, he confessed to killing all 10 officially recognized Hwaseong victims, as well as four additional victims previously unconnected to the case. He also admitted to dozens of sexual assaults.
Police concluded that Lee displayed strong psychopathic traits, showing no empathy for his victims and taking pride in recounting his crimes. He stated that he had no intention of seeking parole, citing fear of public backlash.
Re-Trial and Exoneration
Following Lee’s confession, Yoon Sung-yeo filed for a retrial. In 2020, Lee testified in court, giving a detailed confession that matched crime scene evidence. Investigators later confirmed that Yoon had been abused during interrogation and that forensic reports had been falsified.
In December 2020, Yoon was officially acquitted, more than 30 years after his wrongful conviction. Several former investigators were charged for their misconduct, marking one of South Korea’s most significant judicial reckonings.
Legacy of the Case
The Hwaseong serial murders profoundly changed South Korea’s criminal justice system. They led to reforms in interrogation practices, forensic standards, and the eventual abolition of the statute of limitations for murder. The case remains a sobering reminder of how investigative failures can compound tragedy, harming both victims and the innocent.
Lee Choon-jae remains imprisoned for life, his name permanently linked to one of the darkest chapters in South Korean history.
