Trial commences for woman charged with murdering her two children, concealing their lifeless bodies within suitcases
New Zealand Trial Begins for Hakyung Lee, Accused of Killing Her Children
Hakyung Lee, a New Zealand citizen born in South Korea, is standing trial in Auckland for the murder of her children, Minu Jo (6) and Yuna Jo (8). The trial, which opened on Monday, is expected to last four weeks.
Lee, also known as Ji Eun Lee, was extradited from South Korea to face the charges after granting consent in writing. Prosecutors are due to outline their case on Tuesday and have said they will call 40 witnesses.
The children's remains were found in suitcases at an abandoned storage unit in Auckland in August 2022. The cause of their death remains unknown, with court documents suggesting it might have been prescription sleeping medication, but another cause hasn't been ruled out. The trial is taking place at the High Court in Auckland.
Lee's husband died in 2017 due to cancer, according to RNZ and Reuters. In 2018, shortly after the children are believed to have been killed, Lee had traveled to South Korea and changed her name.
During the trial, the jury may be asked to consider Lee's sanity at the time of the alleged killings. Justice Venning has granted Lee permission to watch the proceedings from another room in the courthouse due to the distressing nature of the trial.
Hakyung Lee is representing herself in the trial, although two lawyers are on standby to help if needed. South Korea provided New Zealand with unspecified "important evidence" in the case.
The children's remains were discovered in the abandoned storage unit in Auckland after Lee stopped paying rental fees, and the locker's contents were auctioned online. The trial is expected to provide answers to a case that has gripped the nation.
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