New evidence reveals additional victim in Gangbuk motel murder case
Published: 26 Feb. 2026, 13:12
![A woman suspected of giving a drug-laced drink that led to another person’s death at a motel in Gangbuk District, northern Seoul, attends a warrant review hearing at the Seoul Northern District Court in Dobong District, northern Seoul, on Feb. 12. [YONHAP]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/02/26/5cd85169-b425-4042-a0aa-c0ce82aea605.jpg)
A woman suspected of giving a drug-laced drink that led to another person’s death at a motel in Gangbuk District, northern Seoul, attends a warrant review hearing at the Seoul Northern District Court in Dobong District, northern Seoul, on Feb. 12. [YONHAP]
New evidence has emerged in the motel murder spree case in Gangbuk District, northern Seoul, indicating that the suspect — a woman surnamed Kim — allegedly gave a drug-laced drink to another man, causing him to lose consciousness, in addition to the three previously reported victims.
Seoul Gangbuk Police Precinct recently summoned the additional victim and secured his statement, authorities said Wednesday. The man testified that he lost consciousness after drinking a hangover remedy given to him by Kim at a karaoke bar in Suyu-dong, Gangbuk District, on Jan. 24.
Kim tried to leave the venue, but after being told by the owner that she had to leave with the man she was with, she called 119 at around 3:35 a.m.
“Some guy is drunk, and I kept trying to wake him up, but he won’t get up,” Kim reportedly said during the call.
“If you’re taking him home, we'll send the police, and if he needs to go to the hospital, we'll send an ambulance,” a 119 dispatcher replied.
“I met him for the first time today, so I don’t know his address at all,” Kim replied.
![A woman suspected of giving a drug-laced drink that led to another person’s death at a motel in Gangbuk District, northern Seoul, attends a warrant review hearing at the Seoul Northern District Court in Dobong District, northern Seoul, on Feb. 12. [NEWS1]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/02/26/2419fa2e-836e-4d8f-82f8-4429671b5e68.jpg)
A woman suspected of giving a drug-laced drink that led to another person’s death at a motel in Gangbuk District, northern Seoul, attends a warrant review hearing at the Seoul Northern District Court in Dobong District, northern Seoul, on Feb. 12. [NEWS1]
The man, who was reportedly in poor condition, including secreting bodily discharge, received emergency treatment from firefighters who arrived at the scene.
Investigators believe Kim met the man and gave him the drink between the first and second incidents involving the other three victims.
It has been previously reported that Kim allegedly gave drinks laced with benzodiazepines to three men at motels in and around Gangbuk District on three occasions — Dec. 14 last year, Jan. 28 and Feb. 9 — killing two and injuring one.
Kim allegedly made her boyfriend drink a hangover remedy at a cafe in Namyangju, Gyeonggi, on Dec. 14, 2025. He also lost consciousness but survived after being taken to a hospital.
The second victim died after consuming a hangover remedy Kim gave him at a motel in Suyu-dong on Jan. 28. The third victim drank a hangover remedy Kim provided at another motel in Suyu-dong on Feb. 9 and was found dead inside the room around 6 p.m. the next day.
One of the victims was found with rigor mortis and discharge coming out of his nose, according to fire authorities.
![A woman suspected of giving a drug-laced drink that led to another person’s death at a motel in Gangbuk District, northern Seoul, attends a warrant review hearing at the Seoul Northern District Court in Dobong District, northern Seoul, on Feb. 12. [NEWS1]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/02/26/42da40c4-9009-4b61-991a-01b26781d489.jpg)
A woman suspected of giving a drug-laced drink that led to another person’s death at a motel in Gangbuk District, northern Seoul, attends a warrant review hearing at the Seoul Northern District Court in Dobong District, northern Seoul, on Feb. 12. [NEWS1]
Kim had previously told investigators she gave drug-laced hangover remedies to only the three known victims. She also reportedly testified she increased the dose by more than double after the first victim survived, leading to the deaths of the second and third victims.
“Kim experimented on her boyfriend during the first incident,” said Oh Yoon-sung, a professor of police administration at Soonchunhyang University, during an interview on Tuesday on CBS Radio.
With an additional victim now confirmed, investigators haven't ruled out the possibility that Kim attempted similar crimes multiple times before the first killing.
“We are investigating the additional victim and the possibility of other offenses,” a police spokesperson said. “We are waiting for the results of a psychopathy assessment.”
Police had been conducting a comprehensive review of the people Kim contacted, based on forensic analysis of her phone. Kim was handed over to prosecutors last Thursday on charges including murder, aggravated assault and violating the Narcotics Control Act.
![A screenshot shows the Instagram account of a suspect identified only by the surname Kim in the Gangbuk motel murder case, as shared on an online community. [SCREEN CAPTURE]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/02/26/6b8e7c2a-e1d3-418d-89ea-c37bd43209a3.jpg)
A screenshot shows the Instagram account of a suspect identified only by the surname Kim in the Gangbuk motel murder case, as shared on an online community. [SCREEN CAPTURE]
Separately, the Instagram account believed to belong to Kim was switched to private after her identity circulated online.
Yonhap News Agency reported Wednesday that the account appeared to have changed from public to private around noon. It came about two weeks after Kim’s arrest and six days after she was transferred to prosecutors' custody.
Following news reports, the account’s follower count reportedly surged to about 11,000 as of 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, roughly 45 times higher than the 240 followers it had last Thursday.
Many users were believed to have searched for Kim’s personal information online and then visited the account, despite police deciding not to publicly release her identity.
Police announced the account’s status would not hinder the investigation because they secured Kim’s phone when they arrested her on Feb. 11 and conducted a forensic analysis.
“It’s difficult to confirm details because it is under investigation,” a police spokesperson said. “We will get to the bottom of whether there are additional victims.”
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.
BY KWAK JOO-YOUNG, HYEON YE-SEUL [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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