A woman in New Zealand has been sentenced to a minimum of 17 years in prison for the murders of her two children, whose bodies were discovered in suitcases after years of being hidden. Hakyung Lee, formerly known as Ji Eun Lee, was convicted in September for killing Minu Jo, age 6, and Yuna Jo, age 8, in March 2018. The sentencing took place on Wednesday at the High Court in Auckland, where Justice Geoffrey Venning ruled that Lee would initially serve her sentence as a patient in a locked psychiatric facility.
During the hearing, Justice Venning emphasized the calculated nature of Lee’s actions. He noted that although she was experiencing severe depression at the time of the murders, her behavior was deliberate. Lee’s defense team had sought a reduced sentence based on her mental illness, claiming she felt shame for her actions and had faced isolation within the prison system. The judge stated that Lee must return to prison once she is well enough to serve her time.
The case garnered significant attention when the remains of the children were found in a storage unit in Auckland in 2022, after Lee failed to pay rent due to financial troubles. The unit was subsequently auctioned off, leading to the shocking discovery. Prior to her extradition to New Zealand, Lee had fled to South Korea, where she changed her name.
Lee’s lawyers acknowledged that she had administered an antidepressant medication to the children, ultimately leading to their deaths, but argued that she became mentally unstable following the death of her husband. Attorney Lorraine Smith described Lee as “fragile” and stated that her mental health deteriorated significantly after her husband’s passing.
In New Zealand, those convicted of murder face an automatic life sentence, with judges determining a minimum period before parole eligibility. In Lee’s case, Justice Venning set the minimum term at 17 years.
The emotional toll of the case was evident in court, with Lee’s uncle, Jimmy Sei Wook Jo, expressing profound sorrow on behalf of the family. He lamented, “I never imagined such a profound tragedy would ever befall our family. I feel like I failed to look after my niece and nephew.”
Additionally, a statement from Lee’s mother, Choon Ja Lee, conveyed her devastation, describing the pain of losing her grandchildren as unbearable. She expressed uncertainty about when or if she would heal from such a loss.
Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Va’aelua of New Zealand Police acknowledged the cooperation of South Korean authorities during the investigation, noting the tragic loss of the two children, who would have been 16 and 13 years old today.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding mental health, familial relationships, and the tragic consequences of untreated psychological issues.
