“Father Allegedly Kills Entire Family, including Children and Wife, by Driving Car into Sea
Tragic Family Loss in Jindo: Father Arrested for Deaths Amid Financial Hardship
A 49-year-old father, identified as Mr. Ji, has been arrested on charges of murder and aiding suicide after allegedly driving his car into the sea with his wife and children inside. The incident, which occurred around 1:12 a.m. at Jindo Port in Imhoe-myeon, Jindo County, Jeollanam-do, resulted in the deaths of his two high school-aged sons and his wife.
Investigations reveal that Mr. Ji is suspected of giving his family a drink laced with sleeping pills before intentionally driving the vehicle into the water. He reportedly escaped the car alone and fled to Gwangju, where he was apprehended approximately 44 hours later.
During questioning, Mr. Ji cited severe financial difficulties, including 160 million won in debt and his wife’s health issues, as the motive for his actions. The Gwangju North Police Station took him into custody on June 4th. A warrant for his arrest was subsequently issued by presiding judge Kim Ho-seok of the Gwangju District Court’s warrant division, who cited concerns about Mr. Ji being a flight risk.
So what can we learn from this incident?
It is neither ethically, legally, nor morally justifiable for a 49-year-old man to take the lives of his family members. Regardless of the family’s debt situation, children have the right to live — and the right to hope.
Children should not die because of family debt. Debt is not a death sentence. Especially for those not legally responsible for it, there is no justification for taking their lives. In South Korea, individuals can legally renounce an inheritance (상속포기), which removes their obligation to repay family debt. Believing that death is the only option reflects despair, distorted thinking, and a lack of legal knowledge — not legal or factual reality. This highlights the importance of educating the public on legal options such as inheritance renunciation.
Everyone has the right to live. Teenagers are individuals with their own abilities, human rights, dreams, and potential. Personal or financial struggles of other family members cannot justify taking away a child’s life. In South Korea, legal protections exist althought not as strong as those of Denmark or Sweden. If necessary, children can be placed in care facilities, and many eventually go on to build independent lives after leaving these institutions, often while working part-time.
Even if the father claims that the act was intended to “save” the family from suffering, it is ultimately a selfish decision. The fact that the father survived alone after driving the car into the sea — while the rest of the family did not — makes this even clearer. This act constitutes murder or attempted murder. The law and moral standards do not view such actions as mercy or justification, especially when the victims are minors who cannot consent and still have many years of life ahead of them.
South Korea may not have as many protections for financially struggling individuals as countries like Denmark or Sweden, but support systems are not entirely absent. It is important to seek mental health support and social resources in advance. While a parent may feel overwhelmed and hopeless due to debt, this does not justify taking their children’s lives.
Ultimately, this reveals a lack of awareness or effort to seek out mental health services and social safety nets. Society — including public officials — must act before someone reaches such a desperate point. Systems like bankruptcy protection should be more accessible, and intervention should happen early, not after tragedy strikes.
What can homeless children do?
In South Korea, the future of teenagers who lose their parents can be very difficult — but it is not always hopeless.
If they have no legal guardian, they can live in group homes (childcare or independent living facilities). Depending on their age, they may be placed in child welfare facilities (아동양육시설), group homes (그룹홈), or independent living support centers (자립지원시설).
📚 Going to college is difficult, but not impossible. There are several possible paths:
They may receive scholarships for disadvantaged youth. Government aid scholarships and independence support funds are available. The Korean government provides financial support for tuition, housing, and living expenses to youth leaving care facilities. Some universities offer special admissions programs or scholarship schemes for low-income youth.
Vocational colleges or two-year public universities. They may first choose more affordable and practical paths — such as entering a Polytechnic university (폴리텍대학), junior college, or provincial public university (도립대학교) — and later transfer to a four-year university. Once they obtain a two or three year degree, transferring to a university later is always an option, and not overly complicated.
💼 They can start saving money by working part-time after high school (e.g., at convenience stores, cafes, or logistics centers). They may live in government-supported housing or youth independent living homes while saving.
If they have wealthy or generous relatives and can contact them, they may ask for help and later repay them for college tuition.
🧠 What they need most is support from government facilities:
Emotional support: Mentorship programs and counseling can help build hope and motivation.
Accurate information: Many teens are unaware of their rights, free legal aid, or financial support options.
Safe housing and stable jobs: Without basic conditions like housing and employment, college education is not realistic.
✅ What is a a realistic path for teenagers in difficulty?
Thus, teenagers in difficult situations can realistically take the following path:
Live in a group home or independent living facility.
Graduate from high school with help from government workers.
Find part-time jobs and apply for scholarships.
Enter a provincial public college or a polytechnic school, and gradually transfer to a university.
Though the journey is hard, they may eventually build a stable and independent life — even if it takes much longer than it does for others.