A hushed tension gripped the courtroom, suffusing the air with solemnity. Hyun-seong silently clasped Yi-soo’s hand, offering a silent anchor amidst the palpable anxiety. Soon, the presiding judge’s voice cut through the stillness, each word measured and chilling.
“The defendant, Kang Jin-won, stands accused of committing calculated atrocities against innocent lives over an extended period. His callous disregard for human sanctity and persistent lack of remorse mark his offenses as particularly heinous.”
In the gallery, the families of the victims held their breath, their emotions hanging in the balance. Some wept openly, while others remained stoic, bracing for the verdict’s weight. Among them sat Yi-soo, her heart pounding in her chest.
“Having deliberated on the merged cases presented, this court finds the defendant Kang Jin-won guilty on all counts: murder under Article 31(1) of the Criminal Code, aiding and abetting crime under Article 32(1), unlawful confinement under Article 278, and opening gambling under Article 247, as charged by the prosecution.”
The word “guilty” reverberated through Yi-soo’s mind, stealing her breath away. Were it not for Hyun-seong’s steadying presence, she might have crumbled beneath the weight of the judgment.
Seeking solace in Hyun-seong’s unwavering gaze, Yi-soo found strength. His silent reassurance spoke volumes, a beacon of resilience amidst the courtroom’s turmoil.
“As this case has wrought immeasurable loss upon numerous lives, our hearts extend to the victims and their grieving families. It is imperative that we take steps to prevent such tragedies from recurring.”
Emotion seeped into the judge’s voice as he delivered the verdict, his words a solemn acknowledgment of the collective pain endured. Raising his gaze to meet the eyes of those assembled, the judge offered a semblance of comfort amidst the somber proceedings.
“Therefore, recognizing the need to safeguard society from further harm, this court imposes the ultimate penalty: Kang Jin-won shall be sentenced to death.”
A wave of relief and vindication swept through the courtroom, mingling with tears of anguish and closure. An elderly couple in front of Yi-soo embraced tightly, finding solace in the long-awaited justice served.
Amidst the eruption of chaos, a lone figure rose from the sea of onlookers, his voice a torrent of curses and insults hurled towards the defendant.
“Order! Maintain order!” The court marshals, stalwart sentinels of decorum, swiftly quelled the rising tempest within the courtroom.
As the tumult subsided, the presiding judge nodded gravely, signaling the end of the trial. “With this, we conclude the trial of the defendant Kang Jin-won. Escort the defendant out.”
“Thank you, Your Honor. Thank you for delivering justice…” A voice, heavy with emotion, punctuated the air, expressing gratitude for the verdict that had been rendered.
With a heavy heart veiled beneath a facade of composure, the judge surveyed the room one last time before departing alongside his fellow arbiters of the law. Meanwhile, two correctional officers took hold of Jin-won’s arms, leading him away from the proceedings.
In the aftermath, amidst the quiet murmur of departing attendees, Yi-soo, her gaze previously fixed upon the floor with bitterness, lifted her head. In that fleeting moment, her eyes locked with Jin-won’s, observing him being escorted away.
There was a peculiar expression upon his face, one that sent a chill down her spine. A smile, faint yet unmistakable, adorned his lips—a sight that defied comprehension and left Yi-soo bewildered.
Why… would he smile? Her brow furrowed in confusion, unable to grasp the significance of such a reaction.
As the subdued families of the victims began to filter out of the courtroom, Yi-soo and Hyun-seong rose in unison, their hands still intertwined in a silent pact of solidarity.
Surveying the now-empty courtroom—the judge’s bench, the prosecution table, the defense attorney’s desk—a determination flickered within Yi-soo’s gaze. She turned towards Hyun-seong.
“Mr. Yoon Hyun-seong, there’s a place I need to visit.”
At her words, Hyun-seong met her gaze, silently acknowledging her unspoken request. With a nod, they made their way towards the exit. Today, it seemed like the right time to visit that place.