A 31-year-old Chinese university lecturer, Zheng Changsheng, was referred to prosecutors by police in Gyeongsan, South Korea, following the alleged murder and dismemberment of a 25-year-old Chinese graduate student. Investigators state the suspect acted out of fear that their romantic relationship, if revealed, would cost him his job.
The Discovery and Investigation in Gyeongsan
The case unfolded after authorities launched an investigation into the disappearance of the 25-year-old female victim, who had previously taken classes taught by Zheng. According to the Gyeongsan Police Station, the fatal incident occurred in the early morning hours of August 20 inside Zheng’s studio apartment located in Hayang-eup, Gyeongsan, North Gyeongsang Province.
Investigators determined that the two individuals entered into an argument during which the student allegedly threatened to expose their relationship to the university. Fearing professional ruin, Zheng allegedly attacked and killed her. Following the incident, the suspect mutilated the body and disposed of the remains across multiple locations, including Gyeongju and Gunpo in Gyeonggi Province, situated south of Seoul.
Police reports indicate that Zheng engaged in elaborate deception following the killing. He reportedly filed a false missing-person report himself while identifying himself as the victim’s boyfriend, attempting to divert suspicion. Furthermore, surveillance footage captured him disguising himself in women’s clothing, traveling to Dongdaegu Station, and disabling the victim’s mobile phone to mask her final movements before changing clothes in a public restroom.
Psychological Evaluation and Legal Proceedings
Authorities apprehended Zheng on August 25. He now faces multiple serious charges, including murder, the mutilation and abandonment of a corpse, and the obstruction of official duties through fraudulent means.
As part of the comprehensive criminal investigation, law enforcement subjected the suspect to a polygraph examination. Officials stated the lie detector test yielded no indications of deception regarding his primary motive. Additionally, specialists administered the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) to assess his behavioral traits, such as impulsivity, lack of empathy, and irresponsibility. Zheng scored below the threshold of 25 out of 40 commonly used in South Korea to classify an individual as a psychopath.
| Detail Category | Fact / Status |
|---|---|
| Suspect | Zheng Changsheng, 31, Chinese national and university lecturer |
| Victim | 25-year-old Chinese female graduate student |
| Date of Incident | Early morning on August 20 |
| Location of Crime | Studio apartment in Hayang-eup, Gyeongsan |
| Arrest Date | August 25 |
| Charges Filed | Murder, mutilation and abandonment of a corpse, obstruction of official duties |
| PCL-R Score | Below 25 out of 40 |
Unrecovered Remains and Broader Allegations
Even as the case transfers from police custody to prosecutors, law enforcement efforts continue. Authorities have confirmed that searches for the victim’s remaining unrecovered body parts will proceed across Gyeongju and Gyeonggi Province, guided by the suspect’s statements and location records retrieved during the investigation.
But there is a catch regarding the scope of the inquiry. Investigators are also examining separate allegations suggesting that Zheng may have threatened other female students, allegedly telling them that maintaining his favor was necessary for their academic graduation.
