The identity disclosure notice published by the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency carries the name and photograph of Zheng Changsheng, the Chinese university lecturer detained on suspicion of killing and dismembering a Chinese graduate student who took his classes. The agency posted it on its website on Sept. 1.GYEONGBUK PROVINCIAL POLICE AGENCY
GYEONGSAN, North Gyeongsang — A Chinese university lecturer accused of strangling a graduate student who had taken his classes told police he killed her because he feared losing his job if the university learned of their romantic relationship. The Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency released the account Friday as it referred him to prosecutors.
The suspect, Zheng Changsheng, was referred while detained on suspicion of murder, damaging, abandoning and concealing the body of a Chinese graduate student in Korea, and obstructing police duties through deception.
He reportedly strangled the victim at his home in Hayang-eup, Gyeongsan, North Gyeongsang, at around 6 a.m. on Aug. 20 then dismembered the bodyand disposed of remains at garbage sites, wooded hills and riverbanks across five areas: Gyeongsan, Gyeongju and Sangju in North Gyeongsang, Daegu and Gunpo, Gyeonggi. Police said some remains were kept at his home.
"I killed her because I was afraid I would lose my job after she said during an argument that she would tell the university about our relationship," Zheng told investigators, according to police.
Zheng taught rehabilitation therapy and neuroanatomy atthe graduate school she attended. He was set to teach human anatomy and musculoskeletal disorders and treatment in the fall.
Police said the victim had taken classes taught by Zheng.
Investigators also accuse Zheng of filing a false missing persons report to make it appear that the victim had disappeared. Police said he later dressed in women's clothing and carried the victim's phone to Dongdaegu Station in an attempt to make it appear that she had traveled there.
Because the victim could not give investigators her account, police said they relied on forensic work as well as a polygraph test on which they said Zheng gave a truthful response regarding the relationship. Police said the findings led them to conclude the two had been in a romantic relationship.
The suspect in the killing of a Chinese graduate student leaves his home in Gyeongsan, North Gyeongsang, dressed in women's clothing at about 10:30 p.m. on Aug. 20, in security camera footage obtained during the investigation.YONHAP
A Psychopathy Checklist-Revised assessment also put Zheng below the threshold commonly used in Korea to classify psychopathy. The test is scored out of 40, with 25 used as the cutoff in Korea. Police said Zheng scored below 25.
Zheng initially refused to take the assessment but later agreed. Two police profilers administered the test.
Investigators reviewed CCTV footage from 16 locations as well as vehicle dashcam footage. They searched 14 sites, including Zheng's home, and seized 214 items. Police also analyzed 84 pieces of forensic evidence, including suspected tools used in the crime and recovered remains.
Police said they worked with relevant agencies to provide the victim's family with psychological counseling, a state-appointed lawyer, morgue and cremation costs and expenses for staying in Korea.
The Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency disclosed Zheng's identity Tuesday after an identity disclosure review committee approved the release Monday. The agency posted his name and photograph on its website.
Police are continuing to search for parts of the victim's remains that have not been recovered. Investigators are also looking into whether Zheng committed any other offenses while working as a university lecturer.
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
