Zheng Changsheng, a 31-year-old Chinese lecturer in South Korea, was referred to prosecutors by the Gyeongsan Police Station on September 4, following accusations that he killed and dismembered a 25-year-old Chinese graduate student who had taken his class, according to police statements reported by Yonhap News Agency and The Korea Herald. Investigators stated that the suspect allegedly committed the homicide out of fear that discovery of their relationship would cost him his job.
Investigation Details and Alleged Motive
The incident occurred in the early morning hours of August 20 at the suspect’s studio apartment in Hayang-eup, Gyeongsan, located in North Gyeongsang Province. According to Yonhap News Agency, the victim and Zheng had been involved in a romantic relationship. During an argument, the woman reportedly threatened to report their relationship to the university. Police believe this threat prompted the killing.
Following the homicide, Zheng allegedly mutilated the victim’s body and abandoned the remains in multiple locations, including Gyeongju and Gunpo in Gyeonggi Province, south of Seoul, as detailed by The Korea Herald. Authorities noted that a polygraph test administered to the suspect indicated no deception regarding his stated motive.
Deception and Subsequent Arrest
Investigators state that Zheng took deliberate steps to conceal the crime and mislead law enforcement. He allegedly filed a false missing-person report after the killing to throw investigators off his trail. Furthermore, police records show he disguised himself as a woman, traveled to Dongdaegu Station, and turned off the victim’s mobile phone to prevent officers from tracking her movements.
Law enforcement arrested Zheng on August 25. He now faces multiple felony charges, including murder, mutilating a corpse, abandoning and concealing a corpse, and obstruction of official duties by fraudulent means, according to The Korea Herald.
Psychopathy Assessment and Additional Inquiries
While in custody, Zheng underwent an evaluation using the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R), an assessment tool that measures traits such as impulsivity, irresponsibility, and lack of empathy. According to officials cited by The Korea Herald, he scored below 25 out of 40, which falls short of the threshold typically used in South Korea to classify an individual as a psychopath.
As the case moves forward, law officials confirmed that searches to locate the remaining unrecovered portions of the victim’s body will continue. Additionally, investigators announced plans to examine separate allegations that Zheng threatened other female students, reportedly telling them they needed to stay on his good graces to secure their graduation.
Keep reading