A 31-year-old Chinese lecturer in South Korea has been arrested and charged after a 25-year-old female graduate student he was reportedly dating was found dead and dismembered.
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The lecturer, identified as Zheng Changsheng, is accused of killing the student at his studio apartment in Gyeongsan City in the early hours of August 20 before disposing of her remains in different locations.
According to police, the victim, who was also Chinese, had gone to Zheng’s apartment on August 14 to collect her master’s diploma. She later disappeared on the night of her graduation ceremony.
Zheng taught two classes at the same university and was scheduled to continue teaching. Investigators said he feared losing his job if their romantic relationship became known.
CCTV footage reportedly showed Zheng and the victim entering his apartment at around 2pm on August 20.
Afterwards, Zheng reported the woman missing and told police that he was her boyfriend. Investigators said his account later came under suspicion.
Police also accused him of turning off the woman’s phone near Dongdaegu Station and wearing her clothes in an attempt to create the impression that she had moved around the area.
Zheng was arrested on the street on August 25, while the victim’s body was found at his apartment the same day.
Local police have released his name and photograph and said the publication period will run until October 1.
Zheng is facing charges including murder, mutilating a body, abandoning a corpse, concealing a corpse and obstructing police officers.
The Daegu District Court ordered that he remain in custody over concerns that he could flee.
During questioning, Zheng reportedly told investigators that he and the victim had an argument before he strangled her. His account remains an allegation made during interrogation and is not a court finding.
He initially refused to undergo a psychological assessment but later agreed to the examination. The results have not been made public.
Meanwhile, the university has begun investigating whether Zheng made inappropriate advances towards other Chinese students.
The Chinese Consulate in Busan has also called for a full investigation and severe punishment if the allegations are proven.
The victim’s identity has not been publicly released, while the prosecution file is now before the courts.