Chinese graduate student found dead in South Korea as man who reported her missing faces murder probe

A 25-year-old Chinese graduate student who returned to South Korea for her graduation ceremony was found dead at the home of a Chinese man who had reported her missing, with police investigating him on suspicion of murder.

The woman, identified as A, was found at the residence of the man, surnamed Jeong, in Hayang-eup, Gyeongsan, North Gyeongsang Province, on Tuesday, five days after she lost contact with her family and acquaintances. Jeong was arrested the same day and is being questioned by police.

Student returned for graduation ceremony

A had been studying at a graduate school in Gyeongsan. She had returned to China during her summer break before travelling back to South Korea on 14 August to attend her graduation ceremony on 20 August.

She lost contact with her family and acquaintances on the day of the ceremony. A missing-person report was filed with North Gyeongsang police at about 7pm the following day.

Police analysed her mobile-phone location data and identified two locations associated with her movements on the day she disappeared: a convenience store near her graduate school and the area around Dongdaegu Station in neighbouring Daegu.

Man who reported her missing became suspect

Jeong was the first person to report A missing. He identified himself to police as her boyfriend and said she had told him she was travelling to Daegu, about 15 kilometres from Gyeongsan, but had subsequently stopped responding to messages.

Police initially questioned Jeong as a witness but found inconsistencies in his statements. Investigators later arrested him on suspicion of murder.

Police are examining whether Jeong had already killed A before reporting her missing and whether the report was intended to mislead investigators about her whereabouts.

Jeong was arrested on a street in Gyeongsan at about 7.29pm on Tuesday. Police subsequently conducted an inspection of the suspected crime scene.

CCTV shows movements after disappearance

Police said CCTV footage showed Jeong entering his residence with A at about 2pm on Thursday, the day she disappeared.

Investigators later observed him leaving the residence wearing women's clothing and a hat. He travelled towards Dongdaegu Station and changed his clothes in a nearby public toilet before returning home.

Police also found that A's mobile phone had been switched off by Jeong at one point. Investigators suspect these actions were intended to create the impression that A had travelled to Daegu after leaving his residence.

Police are also investigating evidence that parts of A's body were allegedly mutilated and abandoned. Search operations have been conducted at a nearby incineration facility and other locations where investigators believe remains may have been disposed of.

Suspect had taught at the university

University officials said Jeong was a lecturer who had taught two undergraduate courses during the first semester and was scheduled to teach two courses during the second semester.

South Korean media reported that the courses included rehabilitation therapy and neuroanatomy. The victim and Jeong were acquaintances, according to people close to the student.

The relationship between the two is among the matters being examined as investigators seek to establish a possible motive.

Autopsy planned as investigation continues

Police said an autopsy would be conducted to determine the exact cause and time of A's death. Establishing the timing of the death is expected to help investigators reconstruct the events surrounding her disappearance and examine Jeong's account to police.

Police are also investigating the circumstances surrounding the alleged disposal of body parts and plan to gather additional evidence from Jeong's residence and other locations.

The Chinese Consulate General in Busan has confirmed the student's death and Jeong's arrest, according to the Korea Times. The consulate said it would provide consular assistance to the victim's family and called for a thorough investigation.

Police have not publicly disclosed a motive. Jeong has not been reported as having responded to questions about the alleged killing when he was escorted into Gyeongsan Police Station late Tuesday.