A woman in New Zealand, Hakyung Lee, has been sentenced to a minimum of **17 years** in prison for the murders of her two children, whose bodies were discovered in suitcases years later. The ruling was made by Justice Geoffrey Venning during a hearing at the High Court in **Auckland** on **November 22, 2023**. Lee’s sentence will begin in a locked psychiatric facility, mandated by New Zealand’s compulsory mental health treatment law, with a return to prison once she is deemed well enough.
Lee was found guilty in September of murdering **Minu Jo**, aged **6**, and **Yuna Jo**, aged **8**. The jury rejected her defense of insanity, concluding that her actions were premeditated. Lee’s legal team argued for a reduced sentence based on her mental health challenges, asserting that she felt significant shame for her actions and had experienced threats while incarcerated. Despite acknowledging her mental health struggles, Justice Venning emphasized the calculated nature of her actions, as reported by the news outlet **Stuff**.
Details of the Case and Discovery of the Bodies
The tragic case began when the children’s remains were discovered in **2022** after Lee defaulted on rental payments for an Auckland storage unit. Following her financial difficulties, the unit’s contents were auctioned online, leading to the shocking discovery of the bodies. Lee fled to **South Korea** after the murders in **2018**, changing her name in an attempt to evade authorities. She was later extradited back to New Zealand to face trial. Previously known as **Ji Eun Lee**, she holds New Zealand citizenship but was born in South Korea.
During the trial, it was established that the children died after Lee administered an antidepressant medication to them. Attorney **Lorraine Smith** stated that Lee’s actions were influenced by severe psychological distress, worsened by the death of her husband. She described Lee as having always been “fragile,” but the circumstances surrounding her husband’s death exacerbated her mental health issues.
In New Zealand, those convicted of murder are typically sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum non-parole period set by the judge. Justice Venning’s decision mandated that Lee serve at least **17 years** before she can apply for parole.
Impact on Family and Community
The emotional toll on the family was palpable during the court proceedings. **Jimmy Sei Wook Jo**, the children’s uncle, expressed profound grief, stating, “I never imagined such a profound tragedy would ever befall our family. I feel like I failed to look after my niece and nephew.”
Additionally, a statement from Lee’s mother, **Choon Ja Lee**, conveyed her devastation, describing the pain of the loss as “cutting through my bones.” She remarked, “I do not know when this pain and suffering might heal, but I often think I may carry it with me until the day I die.”
Following the sentencing, New Zealand police acknowledged the cooperation of South Korean authorities in the investigation, recognizing the enduring impact of this case on the community. Detective Inspector **Tofilau Faamanuia Va’aelua** stated, “Yuna and Minu would have been **16** and **13** today. Our thoughts are with the wider family today for the tragic loss of these two young children.”
This heartbreaking case has resonated deeply within New Zealand and beyond, underlining the complexities of mental health and the devastating consequences of violence within families.
