A martial arts instructor, Kwang Kyung Yoo, is under investigation for the murder of three individuals, including a minor, according to police in Sydney, Australia. Yoo reportedly took himself to a local hospital with self-inflicted stab wounds following the alleged murders.
Yoo, the proprietor of Lion’s Taekwondo and Martial Arts Academy, is suspected of killing Min Cho, 41, and her seven-year-old son in the academy after a class on Monday, February 19, 2024. Police reports suggest that Cho and her son were strangled.
The martial arts instructor is then believed to have driven Cho’s white BMW to her residence, where he allegedly killed Steven Cho, Min’s 39-year-old estranged husband. Following these incidents, Yoo visited a hospital with stab wounds, claiming he was attacked in a supermarket parking lot. He was arrested at the hospital after the bodies of the Cho family were discovered.
Yoo, also known as Master Lion to his students, is facing three counts of murder. The reasons behind his actions are yet to be determined, and the investigation into his wounds and their origins is ongoing. Despite being treated for his injuries, Yoo was notified of his arrest and the forthcoming charges.
Parents of students at the academy expressed shock at the news, describing Yoo as a typical, composed martial arts teacher. One parent, who wished to remain anonymous, shared her disbelief, stating that Master Lion had awarded her child a green belt and a certificate just hours before the alleged crimes took place.
“Master Lion embraced my child and encouraged him about the importance of regular class attendance,” the parent said. Her child had been a frequent student at the Taekwondo center for over a year, attending classes three times a week. She noted that Yoo had always demonstrated positive behavior and served as a commendable role model for the children.
Yoo, who regularly escorted students from a nearby school to the studio for classes and organized programs during school holidays, and the Cho family are originally from South Korea. Investigators are exploring any deeper links that might provide insight into the incident. Detectives, led by Homicide Detective Superintendent Daniel Doherty, are diligently working to uncover any additional relationships or motives.
If convicted, Yoo could face significant legal repercussions. In New South Wales, Australia, the maximum penalty for murder is life imprisonment, with a standard non-parole period of 25 years in the case of child murder.
Law enforcement continues to request public assistance in gathering any information that might help reconstruct the events leading up to the murders. Their aim is to bring clarity and justice to this tragic situation.
