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S. Korean Woman Poisons Herself and 2 Children
On Sunday morning, a 37-year-old laborer identified as Park found his wife, 9-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter dead in their home in Taejon, South Korea.
According to the police, the mother, Choi Eun-ja, 35, and children had swallowed herbicide. They theorized that the woman had committed suicide due to debt pressures.
Ms. Choi, who worked at a convenience store, left a diary saying that she was being hounded by her creditors to repay debts, and that she was sorry for her children. Ms. Choi also mentioned that she would follow the wishes of her creditors.
The woman had borrowed 10 million won ($7,700) and 5 million won from two friends in 1998 when she could not meet living expenses, said the police. She returned the principal in June 2000, but she could not pay back the interest of 12.4 million won.
According to the police investigation, the creditors visited Ms. Choi's work place and house with their husbands dozens of times since February 2000, demanding repayment.
Ms. Choi wrote in her diary that she heard all sorts of abusive remarks from her creditors including the suggestion that she go into prostitution to repay her debt.
The police arrested the creditors, 31- and 33-year-old women, and their husbands Tuesday and lodged criminal charges against them.
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