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A New Zealand woman convicted of murdering her two children and concealing their bodies in suitcases for years has been sentenced to at least 17 years in prison, following a ruling at Auckland’s High Court on Wednesday.
Hakyung Lee will begin her sentence in a secure psychiatric facility under New Zealand’s compulsory mental health treatment law, Justice Geoffrey Venning ordered. Once deemed well enough, she will be transferred back to prison to serve the remainder of her term.
The sentencing comes after a jury rejected Lee’s insanity defense in September, finding her guilty of murdering 6-year-old Minu Jo and 8-year-old Yuna Jo in 2018. While her defense team argued for a reduced sentence due to her mental illness, Justice Venning determined that despite suffering from severe depression at the time of the killings, her actions were “deliberate and calculated.”
Under New Zealand law, an insanity defense requires proof that the defendant was incapable of understanding their actions or recognizing them as wrong—a standard Lee’s case did not meet, according to the court.
The children’s remains were discovered under particularly disturbing circumstances in 2022. After Lee stopped paying rent on an Auckland storage unit due to financial difficulties, its contents were sold at auction. The purchasers made the grim discovery of the children’s bodies inside suitcases.
Following the murders, Lee fled to South Korea, where she changed her identity from her previous name, Ji Eun Lee. Although born in South Korea, she is a New Zealand citizen. She was eventually extradited back to New Zealand to face trial.
During court proceedings, Lee’s defense team acknowledged that she had killed the children by administering antidepressant medication. Attorney Lorraine Smith described how her client had “descended into madness,” noting that Lee had always been “fragile” and that her mental health deteriorated significantly following her husband’s death.
In New Zealand, murder convictions automatically result in life sentences, with judges determining the minimum period to be served before parole eligibility—typically at least 10 years. Justice Venning’s ruling that Lee must serve a minimum of 17 years reflects the severity of her crimes.
The emotional impact of the case was evident in court statements from family members. The children’s uncle, Jimmy Sei Wook Jo, expressed his grief through a statement read by a lawyer: “I never imagined such a profound tragedy would ever befall our family. I feel like I failed to look after my niece and nephew.”
Lee’s mother, Choon Ja Lee, conveyed her devastation in a statement read by prosecutors. “It felt like a pain that cut through my bones, or as if someone was gouging out my chest,” the statement read. “I do not know when this pain and suffering might heal, but I often think I may carry it with me until the day I die.”
Following the sentencing, New Zealand police acknowledged the assistance provided by South Korean authorities throughout the investigation. Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Va’aelua reflected on the tragedy in a statement, noting, “Yuna and Minu would have been 16 and 13 today. Our thoughts are with the wider family today for the tragic loss of these two young children.”
The case has drawn significant attention in New Zealand, highlighting issues surrounding mental health treatment, criminal responsibility, and the devastating consequences when family support systems fail. Mental health advocates have pointed to the case as evidence of the need for improved early intervention services for those experiencing severe psychological distress, particularly among immigrant communities where individuals may face additional cultural and linguistic barriers to seeking help.
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14 Comments
This is an absolutely devastating case. The fact that the children’s bodies were kept in suitcases for years is deeply disturbing. I hope the sentencing provides some measure of justice and closure for the victims’ family, though the pain they must be feeling is unimaginable.
Tragic and horrific. The insanity defense appears to have been rightly rejected, as the court determined the murders were calculated, not the product of mental incapacity. A 17-year sentence seems appropriate, though it can never undo the immense suffering caused.
What a horrific and tragic case. My heart goes out to the victims and their loved ones. While the defendant’s mental health issues are concerning, the court was right to conclude that her actions were deliberate and criminal. A 17-year sentence seems appropriate given the severity of the crimes.
Truly a devastating and disturbing case. My heart goes out to the victims and their loved ones. The court’s decision to reject the insanity defense and impose a 17-year sentence seems appropriate, though it can never make up for the unimaginable tragedy.
Tragic and horrific. While the defendant’s actions were clearly criminal, the underlying mental health issues also need to be addressed. I hope the victims’ family can find some measure of closure, though the pain they must be feeling is unimaginable.
Tragic and horrific. The court’s decision to reject the insanity defense and impose a 17-year sentence seems appropriate, though it can never undo the immense suffering caused. My heart goes out to the victims and their loved ones.
Truly a devastating and disturbing case. The fact that the children’s bodies were kept in suitcases for years is deeply disturbing. I hope the sentencing provides some measure of justice and closure for the victims’ family, though the pain they must be feeling is unimaginable.
This is an absolutely devastating case. The fact that the children’s bodies were kept in suitcases for years is deeply disturbing. I hope the sentencing provides some measure of justice and closure for the victims’ family, though the pain they must be feeling is unimaginable.
A horrific case that underscores the critical importance of mental health support and intervention. While the defendant’s actions were clearly criminal, the underlying mental health issues also need to be addressed. I hope the victims’ family can find some measure of closure.
This is an absolutely heartbreaking case. While the defendant’s mental health issues are concerning, the court was right to conclude that her actions were deliberate and criminal. A 17-year sentence seems appropriate, though it can never undo the immense suffering caused.
What a horrific and tragic case. While the defendant’s mental health issues are concerning, the court made the right call in rejecting the insanity defense and imposing a 17-year sentence. The victims and their family deserve justice, even if it can never truly heal the trauma.
A heartbreaking case that underscores the critical importance of mental health support and intervention. The court’s decision to reject the insanity defense and impose a 17-year sentence seems justified, though the pain and trauma experienced by the victims’ family can never be fully healed.
This is an absolutely heartbreaking case. While the defendant’s mental health issues are concerning, the court made the right call in rejecting the insanity defense and imposing a 17-year sentence. The victims and their family deserve justice, even if it can never truly heal the trauma.
Tragic beyond words. The court’s decision to reject the insanity defense and impose a 17-year sentence seems justified, though the pain and trauma experienced by the victims’ family can never be fully healed. My condolences to all who have been impacted by this devastating case.