I'm Actually a Good Person: Shocking Defense from Father Who Shot His Own Son

The Unthinkable Birthday Party Tragedy

Can you imagine preparing a birthday celebration for your father, only to become a victim of premeditated murder? This nightmare became reality in Songdo, Incheon, when 62-year-old Mr. Cho shot his 34-year-old son with a homemade firearm during what should have been a joyful family gathering. The incident occurred on July 20, 2025, at around 9:31 PM in a high-rise apartment on the 33rd floor.

The victim had lovingly prepared a birthday party for his father, inviting family members including his wife, two young children, and even a family tutor. In the midst of this celebration, Mr. Cho pulled out a homemade shotgun and fired at his son, hitting him fatally in the chest. The son was rushed to the hospital but died at 11:09 PM that night.

What makes this case even more disturbing is Mr. Cho's attempted escape and the discovery of additional weapons and explosives. When police apprehended him three hours later in Seoul's Seocho district, they found 10 more homemade firearms in his vehicle, along with ammunition. But the horror didn't end there.

A Chilling Discovery: Timed Explosives in His Apartment

During interrogation, Mr. Cho revealed something that sent shivers down investigators' spines: he had set up 15 homemade explosives in his Seoul apartment, programmed to detonate at noon the following day. Police immediately evacuated 105 residents from the building and deployed special forces to defuse the devices.

The explosives consisted of PET bottles filled with thinner, detergent containers, and milk cartons—all rigged with actual ignition devices and timers. Had the police not acted swiftly, a massive explosion could have killed or injured countless innocent neighbors. This wasn't a crime of passion; it was methodically planned terrorism.

Community reactions online were swift and horrified. Naver and Daum communities erupted with comments expressing disbelief that such violence could occur in modern Korea, a country with some of the world's strictest gun control laws. Many netizens questioned how someone could manufacture functional firearms without detection, raising concerns about public safety.

The Absurd Defense: I'm a Good Person Who Lived Kindly

Perhaps the most infuriating aspect of this case is Mr. Cho's response during profiler interviews. When three professional criminal profilers—deployed from Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi police agencies—questioned him about his motives, he repeatedly insisted: I'm originally a good person who has lived kindly.

This statement left investigators and the public stunned. How could someone who meticulously planned a murder, attempted to kill his entire family, and planted timed explosives claim moral goodness? Mr. Cho cited family discord as his motive, claiming that his ex-wife and son had stopped providing him monthly financial support of 640,000 won each, totaling 6.4 million won.

However, family members vehemently disputed his claims. The victim's mother stated she never stopped supporting her ex-husband despite their divorce over 20 years ago. She emphasized that their son always treated his father with respect, even hiding knowledge of the divorce to protect his father's feelings. Online communities like DCInside and Fmkorea expressed outrage at what they perceived as a pathetic excuse for heinous crimes.

Profiler Analysis: Delusion and Revenge, Not Economic Hardship

After extensive psychological evaluation, profilers concluded that Mr. Cho's motive wasn't genuine economic hardship or family conflict—it was delusion and a desire for revenge against his ex-wife. According to the prosecution's indictment released in August 2025, Mr. Cho had been planning this crime for over a year, purchasing materials for homemade guns and explosives as early as August 2024.

Experts noted that Mr. Cho harbored deep-seated feelings of inferiority toward his successful ex-wife, who is a CEO of a famous skincare company, and his son, who was also a business representative. Despite having no stable employment for over a decade, Mr. Cho received substantial financial support but developed a delusional belief that his family conspired to set him up and ruin his life.

The profilers determined that Mr. Cho didn't meet the criteria for psychopathy but was driven by obsessive thoughts and a distorted sense of victimhood. His claim that the family turned their backs on him was proven false—records showed continuous financial and emotional support until the tragic incident. Korean netizens expressed a mix of anger and sadness, with many commenting that the real victims are the young grandchildren who witnessed their grandfather murder their father.

A Nation Shaken: Cultural Impact and Public Response

This incident sent shockwaves through South Korea, a nation where gun-related homicides are extremely rare due to strict weapons regulations. The fact that Mr. Cho manufactured functional firearms using metal pipes and online tutorials raised alarm about potential security gaps. Community forums like PGR21 and Fmkorea debated whether current laws adequately prevent such homemade weapon production.

Online reactions were overwhelmingly negative toward the perpetrator, with many users expressing sympathy for the victim's family. However, the case also sparked disturbing misinformation campaigns, with some far-right communities falsely claiming the perpetrator was a Chinese national—claims quickly debunked by police. This highlighted ongoing issues with xenophobia and conspiracy theories in Korean online spaces.

As of October 2025, Mr. Cho faces trial on charges of murder, attempted murder, violations of firearms laws, and attempted arson. Legal experts predict he will receive a life sentence or death penalty given the premeditated nature and severity of his crimes. For international audiences trying to understand Korean family dynamics, this case serves as a tragic reminder that even in collectivist societies that emphasize filial piety, extreme psychological disturbance can shatter the strongest family bonds.