A Korean-Chinese man was arrested Thursday for allegedly stabbing his co-worker to death as the colleague threatened to report his illegal alien status to immigration authorities, police said.
The man, identified only by his last name Lee, is suspected of murdering the 72-year-old woman who belittled him for having entered South Korea illegally, said Yoo Cheol, the chief crime investigator at Songpa Police Station.
The incident occurred at around 6:25 a.m. at an onion factory in southeastern Seoul where the two worked.
Lee said the woman cursed at him for not doing his job properly, and a fight broke out.
Lee is also accused of stabbing another co-worker, identified only as a 55-year-old man, as he sided with the woman. The man has been hospitalized and is now in critical condition.
Yoo said Lee tried to hurt himself, causing the police to use a stun gun on him before arresting him at the scene.
The 42-year-old entered South Korea 10 years ago and began working at the factory last year, the investigator said.
The suspect told the police that the two had previously threatened to report him to immigration authorities as he does not have a visa to live in South Korea. (Yonhap)
