In a case that sent shockwaves through South Korea’s content creator community, the Incheon District Court has handed down significant prison sentences to three men convicted in the violent abduction and attempted murder of popular gaming YouTuber Sutak.
On May 15, Judge Kim Ki-poong of the Criminal Division 13 sentenced 26-year-old Mr. A to 30 years behind bars and his 24-year-old accomplice, Mr. B, to 25 years. A 37-year-old associate, Mr. C, received a five-year term for his supporting role. The ruling comes roughly seven months after the harrowing October 26, 2025, incident that left the YouTuber, whose real name is Ko Jin-ho and who boasts more than one million subscribers, fighting for his life.
Photo | Allkpop News
Prosecutors had pushed for life imprisonment, arguing the crime was cold-blooded and meticulously planned. According to the court, the perpetrators led by a used-car dealer lured Sutak to an underground parking garage in Songdo International City, Incheon, under the pretense of addressing a refund dispute over a luxury sports car deposit. Once there, they ambushed him, striking his head and body repeatedly with baseball bats and other blunt objects. The victim suffered severe injuries, including a skull fracture, and briefly lost consciousness.
Photo | jtbc news
The attackers then forced Sutak into a vehicle and drove him nearly 200 kilometers toward a remote area in Geumsan County, South Chungcheong Province, with apparent plans to kill and dispose of him. Quick thinking by the YouTuber, who had sensed danger and alerted authorities beforehand, combined with swift police action, led to the suspects’ arrest at a memorial park parking lot in the early morning hours.
Court documents emphasized the premeditation: the group had scouted locations, prepared tools, and even discussed body disposal methods to evade debt repayment and rob the victim. Judges noted the defendants’ initial attempts to downplay their involvement and lack of any genuine remorse or restitution toward Sutak, who has spoken publicly about ongoing physical recovery and psychological trauma, including PTSD symptoms.
This case highlights growing concerns over targeted crimes against public figures whose lifestyles are visible online. While the sentences fall short of the maximum sought, legal experts say they reflect South Korea’s tough stance on aggravated kidnapping and robbery involving violence. Sutak’s ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities content creators can face and the importance of rapid law enforcement response in such high-stakes situations.
Sutak has not yet publicly commented on the verdict, but supporters continue to rally around his recovery and return to gaming content. The defendants have the right to appeal.
Editor’s Note: This article is based on verified information and reports from multiple reputable Korean media outlets and official court proceedings.
