"New Zealand Trial Commences for South Korean Mother Charged with Murdering Her Own Children ( Case of 'Suitcase Murders' )"
A Korean-born New Zealand woman, Hakyung-Lee, is currently on trial in Auckland for the murder of her two children, aged eight and six, in a case that has shocked the nation.
The tragic events are said to have taken place in 2018, but it was not until 2022 that the homicide inquiry was launched following the discovery of the children's remains in an abandoned storage locker. The family who found the bodies was not connected to the deaths; they were simply going through the contents of a storage locker they had purchased following an online auction.
The children's bodies were found in suitcases, a horrifying discovery that sent shockwaves through the community. Court filings reportedly cited the children's father's death as a factor, as he had died of cancer in 2017.
Lee, who has chosen to represent herself in court, assisted by two lawyers, has pleaded not guilty to the murder charges. During the jury selection in the High Court, she was seen sitting with her head lowered, a stark contrast to the gravity of the allegations against her.
The trial is taking place in Auckland, New Zealand, and Hakyung-Lee was extradited from South Korea in November 2022. The details of her lawyer assigned to assist her in her self-representation are not specified.
The discovery of the children's remains was a turning point in the case, leading to the launch of the homicide inquiry and ultimately, the current trial. As the proceedings continue, the nation awaits the outcome, hoping for justice for the innocent lives lost.
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