Yoo Young-Chul (유영철, born 1970) is a self-confessed South Korean serial killer and cannibal. Although he admitted to murdering 21 people, mostly prostitutes and rich old men, the Seoul Central District Court convicted him of 20 murders (one case was dismissed on a technicality). Yoo burned 3 and mutilated at least 11 of his victims, admitting he ate the livers of some of them. He committed his crimes between September 2003 and July 2004, when he was arrested. He was sentenced to death on 13 December 2004.

His case, which appalled South Koreans, has fuelled the debate on capital punishment in South Korea. Although the death penalty is still permissible under law, it has not been carried out for 6 years. It appeared capital punishment might be abolished prior to Yoo's arrest, but support for the death penalty has grown since his arrest.

The Seoul Central District Court said: "Murders of as many as 20 people are unprecedented in the nation and a very serious crime. The death penalty is inevitable for Yoo in light of the enormous pains inflicted on the families concerned and the entire society."

See also

• Jack the Ripper

References

• The Korea Times
• The Korea Times (on the death penalty)