Memories of Murder is a 2003 South Korean crime drama film co-written and directed by Bong Joon-ho. It is loosely based on the true story of Korea’s first serial murders in history, which took place between 1986 and 1991 in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province. Song Kang-ho and Kim Sang-Kyung star as Detective Park and Detective Seo, respectively, two of the detectives trying to solve the crimes.
Apparently, the Korean film “Memories of Murder” directed by the famous director Bong Joon Ho is based on the story of a serial killer named Lee Chun Jae, who was free for more than 20 years until finally confessing in 2019.
For your information, Lee Chun Jae is the suspect in one of the most famous serial murder cases in Korea.
Lee Chun Jae admitted to raping and killing 14 women more than two decades ago. The man was the main suspect in the murder after police found DNA matching samples taken from at least nine murders in Hwaseong, southern Seoul, between 1986 and 1991.
He also confessed to not only committing all nine murders but also raping and killing five other women in Hwaseong and nearby towns.
Hwaseong serial killer
The killings were one of the killings that took place between 1986 and 1991, known as the Hwaseong serial killings, taken in honor of the area. For decades, the Hwaseong serial killings have caused fear among Koreans.
And during that time, nine other murder cases could not be resolved, and those cases are retold in the 2003 film “Memories of Murder”.
Victims Between 14 To 71 Years
Reportedly, the victims, aged 14 to 71, were strangled to death after their mouths were stuffed with socks, bras, and socks. Some bodies are mutilated with an umbrella, fork, or razor.
2 Million Police Officers Investigate
As many as two million police officers were mobilized to hunt down the killers over the years, and more than 21,000 men were interrogated in the case. Although the Hwaseong murder case was supposed to end in 2006, police refused to close the case, and continued to collect data and analyze evidence gathered from the murder site.
Evidence Focused On Lee Chun Jae
The evidence eventually led officials to Lee Chun Jae, who was serving a life sentence in Busan, for raping and killing his brother-in-law in 1994.
Raped And Killed Sister-In-Law
Lee married in 1991 and had a son soon after. His family moved to Cheongju, his wife’s hometown. In 1993, his wife left him. At the same time, he killed his sister-in-law in 1994. Lee reportedly took drugs, raped, and killed his 18-year-old sister-in-law on January 13, 1994.
According to detectives investigating him, Lee found his father-in-law by offering help to find his missing brother-in-law, and both reported that he may have been abducted. Lee was arrested a few days later, on January 18.
Lee Chun Jae Said Sorry
“I did not expect the crime to be buried forever,” Lee, 57, told a court in Suwon, South Korea.
“I hear many people have been investigated and are suffering. I want to apologize to everyone. I came and testified and described the crime in the hope (of the victim and their family) for comfort when the truth was revealed. I will live my life with repentance. ”
On November 2, 2020, Lee Chun Jae appeared as a witness for both the prosecution and his lawyer at the trial of the case held at the 12th criminal division trial in Suwon District Court.
Lee Chun Jae asserted in open court that he had committed all crimes related to the Hwaseong serial murder.
Sources: NewYorkTimes, CNN,