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7NEWS
a day ago
- 7NEWS
Taekwondo instructor Kwang Kyung Yoo's phone call to wife after murdering student's mother
A taekwondo instructor who slaughtered an entire family and stole one of their cars rang his wife amid the killings to tell her he had obtained a BMW, court documents reveal. Kwang Kyung Yoo, 50, on Thursday pleaded guilty to the February 2024 murders of his seven-year-old student and the boy's parents, Min Cho, 41, and Steven Cho, 39. Yoo strangled the mother and son at his North Parramatta taekwondo studio before driving her BMW to the family's Baulkham Hills home, where he assaulted and stabbed her husband. Now, new revelations about the horrific slayings have been laid bare as a statement of agreed facts was tendered in Parramatta Local Court last week. While a clear motive for the killings wasn't outlined, the documents reveal Yoo was a serial liar who was obsessed with luxury items, wealth, and social status. According to the documents, the martial arts instructor — who was known as 'Master Lion' to his students – consistently told grandiose mistruths to friends, family, and students about his success, wealth, and academic and sporting credentials. In January 2024, just weeks before the murders, Yoo lied to his wife that he was being given a BMW — the same make as the Cho's car — as a work car from his secondary employer, a local school. He was also captured on CCTV driving into the housing complex where the family lived on five separate occasions in the 11 days leading up to the murders. According to the court documents, the tragic turn of events began when the seven-year-old boy arrived at Lion's Taekwondo and Martial Arts Academy about 4.30pm on February 19 last year ahead of his regular Monday night classes. The boy, who had been attending the school for three years, was taking double classes with Yoo in preparation for his black belt. CCTV footage shows Min arriving at the studio about 6.22pm, after the other parents and students had left. While the boy waited in reception, Min followed Yoo through the classroom to the storeroom, where he strangled her, before dragging her body into the office. After the class with the boy finished just before 8pm, Yoo called his wife to tell her 'the car has arrived'. He then lured the seven-year-old boy into the storeroom and strangled him, according to the facts. At 8.48pm, Yoo drove Min's BMW x5 to the family's Baulkham Hills townhouse, where he broke in and waited for half an hour for Steven to arrive home, before stabbing him repeatedly in the head, neck, and torso with a knife and pair of scissors. The facts state Yoo suffered several stab wounds as Steven fought for his life. Yoo drove back to the studio and collected his phone and Min's apple watch about 11pm, according to the documents. He then called his wife and told her he had been stabbed and agreed to meet her at Westmead Hospital. At the hospital, Yoo was treated for a collapsed lung and told police he had been attacked by three people in North Parramatta Woolworths car park and he had driven himself there in his Toyota Camry. According to the facts, police spoke to Yoo's wife and learned he had told her he had been driving a friend's BMW, which led police to search that vehicle. The facts state police discovered blood inside the BMW, as well as documents for the sale of a multi-million dollar home in Mosman, a false master's degree from Sydney University in his name, and papers in the name of 'Professor Kwang Yoo'. Steven's body was discovered the next day when concerned friends went to the couple's home. They saw an object covered by a blanket and called police. Police then went to the martial arts studio, where they noticed blood on the front steps before finding the bodies of Min and her son inside. The documents reveal Yoo was a prolific liar, who told people that he had competed in the Olympics, that both his parents and wife had died from COVID-19, and that he owned a Lamborghini and a home with views of the Harbour Bridge. He also inspected properties and falsely told agents he was acting on behalf of his wealthy employer or his parents who had a budget of up to $50 million and also attended a car dealership to discuss purchasing a Lamborghini. He also told others, including his wife and sister, that he had achieved a PhD from Macquarie University and Sydney University, however, both institutions had no record of him. Yoo will be sentenced in the NSW Supreme Court later this year.
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- The Advertiser
Fifth man charged over alleged looting in flood-devastated Mid North Coast
A fifth man has been charged with looting after historic flooding inundated the Hunter and Mid North Coast. Officers stopped a man in the early hours of Saturday morning, May 31, on Stevenson Street at Taree and say a search of the man's effects allegedly uncovered a string of suspected stolen items. Police say they found a television, vacuum cleaner, a slew of other electrical items and jewellery during the search, and also alleged the man was carrying methylamphetamine. The 45-year-old was taken to Taree Police Station where he was charged over the alleged drugs possession, carrying items suspected to have been stolen, and carrying "housebreaking implements". He was refused bail and faced Paramatta Local Court on Saturday via video-link where he was granted bail and ordered to return to Taree Local Court on June 17. The latest charges come after Police deputy commissioner Peter Thurtell warned on Monday, May 26, that increased numbers of officers would patrol flood-devastated areas for looters in the wake of record-breaking rainfall over the past fortnight. "The impact of this weather event has been unimaginable and to think they now have to be concerned about hanging on to whatever property they have left is a disgrace," Mr Thurtell said. "Stealing from people vulnerable during hard times like these is un-Australian." A fifth man has been charged with looting after historic flooding inundated the Hunter and Mid North Coast. Officers stopped a man in the early hours of Saturday morning, May 31, on Stevenson Street at Taree and say a search of the man's effects allegedly uncovered a string of suspected stolen items. Police say they found a television, vacuum cleaner, a slew of other electrical items and jewellery during the search, and also alleged the man was carrying methylamphetamine. The 45-year-old was taken to Taree Police Station where he was charged over the alleged drugs possession, carrying items suspected to have been stolen, and carrying "housebreaking implements". He was refused bail and faced Paramatta Local Court on Saturday via video-link where he was granted bail and ordered to return to Taree Local Court on June 17. The latest charges come after Police deputy commissioner Peter Thurtell warned on Monday, May 26, that increased numbers of officers would patrol flood-devastated areas for looters in the wake of record-breaking rainfall over the past fortnight. "The impact of this weather event has been unimaginable and to think they now have to be concerned about hanging on to whatever property they have left is a disgrace," Mr Thurtell said. "Stealing from people vulnerable during hard times like these is un-Australian." A fifth man has been charged with looting after historic flooding inundated the Hunter and Mid North Coast. Officers stopped a man in the early hours of Saturday morning, May 31, on Stevenson Street at Taree and say a search of the man's effects allegedly uncovered a string of suspected stolen items. Police say they found a television, vacuum cleaner, a slew of other electrical items and jewellery during the search, and also alleged the man was carrying methylamphetamine. The 45-year-old was taken to Taree Police Station where he was charged over the alleged drugs possession, carrying items suspected to have been stolen, and carrying "housebreaking implements". He was refused bail and faced Paramatta Local Court on Saturday via video-link where he was granted bail and ordered to return to Taree Local Court on June 17. The latest charges come after Police deputy commissioner Peter Thurtell warned on Monday, May 26, that increased numbers of officers would patrol flood-devastated areas for looters in the wake of record-breaking rainfall over the past fortnight. "The impact of this weather event has been unimaginable and to think they now have to be concerned about hanging on to whatever property they have left is a disgrace," Mr Thurtell said. "Stealing from people vulnerable during hard times like these is un-Australian." A fifth man has been charged with looting after historic flooding inundated the Hunter and Mid North Coast. Officers stopped a man in the early hours of Saturday morning, May 31, on Stevenson Street at Taree and say a search of the man's effects allegedly uncovered a string of suspected stolen items. Police say they found a television, vacuum cleaner, a slew of other electrical items and jewellery during the search, and also alleged the man was carrying methylamphetamine. The 45-year-old was taken to Taree Police Station where he was charged over the alleged drugs possession, carrying items suspected to have been stolen, and carrying "housebreaking implements". He was refused bail and faced Paramatta Local Court on Saturday via video-link where he was granted bail and ordered to return to Taree Local Court on June 17. The latest charges come after Police deputy commissioner Peter Thurtell warned on Monday, May 26, that increased numbers of officers would patrol flood-devastated areas for looters in the wake of record-breaking rainfall over the past fortnight. "The impact of this weather event has been unimaginable and to think they now have to be concerned about hanging on to whatever property they have left is a disgrace," Mr Thurtell said. "Stealing from people vulnerable during hard times like these is un-Australian."
Sky News AU
3 days ago
- Sky News AU
Man allegedly covers Sydney complex in swastikas, attacks police while in custody
A man has been charged with defacing a neighbourhood in Sydney's west after allegedly covering a unit complex in offensive Nazi symbols. Emergency services were called to a unit complex on Derby Street in Penrith around 3pm on Friday following reports of offensive graffiti. Officers from the Nepean Police Area Command arrived to find multiple Nazi swastikas and offensive phrases spray-painted across footpaths, fences, and car spaces near the unit complex. A 51-year-old man was then arrested at the scene and taken to Penrith Police Station for questioning. However, while in custody, he became aggressive, and police allege he attempted to assault an officer several times before they were forced to restrain him. He has since been charged with knowingly display by public act Nazi symbol without excuse and assault police officer in execution of duty cause actual bodily harm. The man was refused bail and is scheduled to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Saturday.
West Australian
5 days ago
- West Australian
Taekwondo instructor admits to shocking triple murder
A taekwondo instructor has admitted to a shocking triple murder in Sydney's west in which he killed a couple and a seven-year-old child. Kwang Kyung Yoo on Thursday pleaded guilty to three counts of murder when he appeared in the Parramatta Local Court. He admitted to murdering Min Cho, 41, and a seven-year-old child at a North Parramatta taekwondo studio, as well as Ms Cho's husband, Steven Cho, 39, at a Baulkham Hills home on February 19 last year. The North Kellyville man has been in custody since he was arrested in hospital and will now face sentencing proceedings in the NSW Supreme Court. Ms Cho and the child were killed inside the taekwondo studio where the boy was a student. Yoo, who was known to his students as Master Lion, left the bodies inside the studio before driving Ms Cho's white BMW to her Baulkham Hills home, where Mr Cho was stabbed several times. NSW Police found Mr Cho's body at the Watkins Rd, Baulkham Hills address before the bodies of his wife and the child were discovered by police two hours later. Yoo drove to Westmead Hospital with stab wounds to his chest, arms and stomach and claimed he was randomly attacked in a Woolworths carpark. However he sustained the injuries while stabbing Mr Cho to death. He will now appear in the Supreme Court in August before he is sentenced at a later date.
The Advertiser
7 days ago
- The Advertiser
Newcastle man charged after $90,000 worth of illegal drugs allegedly found
A man will face court after police allegedly found more than $90,000 worth of drugs at a property in New Lambton. On Tuesday, May 27, police from the Hunter Region Enforcement Squad located and seized $13,000 in cash, 1.2 kilograms of cannabis, 98 grams of cocaine, 240 grams of MDMA, an extendable baton, electronics, and fireworks. Following inquiries, a 25-year-old man was arrested, taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with 16 alleged offences. The illicit drugs had an estimated potential street value of more than $90,000. He was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday, May 28. The man was charged with supply prohibited drug (greater than or equal to commercial quantity), supply prohibited drug (greater than indictable and less than commercial quantity), and two counts of supply prohibited drug (less than or equal to indictable quantity). He was also charged with five counts of supply prohibited drug (less than or equal to small quantity), supply cannabis, possess explosive for unlawful purpose, use a prohibited weapon without permit, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime and possess prohibited drug, three counts. NSW Police said inquiries would continue into the supply of illicit drugs in Newcastle. A man will face court after police allegedly found more than $90,000 worth of drugs at a property in New Lambton. On Tuesday, May 27, police from the Hunter Region Enforcement Squad located and seized $13,000 in cash, 1.2 kilograms of cannabis, 98 grams of cocaine, 240 grams of MDMA, an extendable baton, electronics, and fireworks. Following inquiries, a 25-year-old man was arrested, taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with 16 alleged offences. The illicit drugs had an estimated potential street value of more than $90,000. He was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday, May 28. The man was charged with supply prohibited drug (greater than or equal to commercial quantity), supply prohibited drug (greater than indictable and less than commercial quantity), and two counts of supply prohibited drug (less than or equal to indictable quantity). He was also charged with five counts of supply prohibited drug (less than or equal to small quantity), supply cannabis, possess explosive for unlawful purpose, use a prohibited weapon without permit, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime and possess prohibited drug, three counts. NSW Police said inquiries would continue into the supply of illicit drugs in Newcastle. A man will face court after police allegedly found more than $90,000 worth of drugs at a property in New Lambton. On Tuesday, May 27, police from the Hunter Region Enforcement Squad located and seized $13,000 in cash, 1.2 kilograms of cannabis, 98 grams of cocaine, 240 grams of MDMA, an extendable baton, electronics, and fireworks. Following inquiries, a 25-year-old man was arrested, taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with 16 alleged offences. The illicit drugs had an estimated potential street value of more than $90,000. He was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday, May 28. The man was charged with supply prohibited drug (greater than or equal to commercial quantity), supply prohibited drug (greater than indictable and less than commercial quantity), and two counts of supply prohibited drug (less than or equal to indictable quantity). He was also charged with five counts of supply prohibited drug (less than or equal to small quantity), supply cannabis, possess explosive for unlawful purpose, use a prohibited weapon without permit, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime and possess prohibited drug, three counts. NSW Police said inquiries would continue into the supply of illicit drugs in Newcastle. A man will face court after police allegedly found more than $90,000 worth of drugs at a property in New Lambton. On Tuesday, May 27, police from the Hunter Region Enforcement Squad located and seized $13,000 in cash, 1.2 kilograms of cannabis, 98 grams of cocaine, 240 grams of MDMA, an extendable baton, electronics, and fireworks. Following inquiries, a 25-year-old man was arrested, taken to Waratah Police Station and charged with 16 alleged offences. The illicit drugs had an estimated potential street value of more than $90,000. He was refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday, May 28. The man was charged with supply prohibited drug (greater than or equal to commercial quantity), supply prohibited drug (greater than indictable and less than commercial quantity), and two counts of supply prohibited drug (less than or equal to indictable quantity). He was also charged with five counts of supply prohibited drug (less than or equal to small quantity), supply cannabis, possess explosive for unlawful purpose, use a prohibited weapon without permit, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime and possess prohibited drug, three counts. NSW Police said inquiries would continue into the supply of illicit drugs in Newcastle.
