In a case that has gripped New Zealand, Hakyung Lee has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of her two young children, whose bodies were found in suitcases in an Auckland storage unit. The High Court ruled that Lee, 45, must serve at least 17 years before she is eligible for parole.

Discovery and Arrest

The tragic discovery was made in 2022 when a family purchased the contents of an abandoned storage unit at auction, uncovering the remains of eight-year-old Yuna Jo and six-year-old Minu Jo. The children had been killed in 2018, shortly after the death of their father, Ian Jo, from cancer. Lee, originally from South Korea, had fled New Zealand and was living under a new identity when she was arrested in South Korea in September 2022 and extradited back to face trial.

Mental Health and Legal Proceedings

During the trial, Lee's defense argued that she was suffering from severe depression and a prolonged grief reaction following her husband's death. A forensic psychiatrist testified that Lee believed she was acting in her children's best interests. However, the prosecution contended that Lee's actions were deliberate, pointing to her efforts to conceal the bodies and flee the country. High Court Judge Geoffrey Venning acknowledged Lee's mental health issues but concluded that her actions were calculated, rejecting the insanity defense.

Family Impact

The case has left deep emotional scars on both Lee's and Ian Jo's families. In a poignant statement read in court, Lee's mother, Choon Ja Lee, expressed regret for not seeking help for her daughter and questioned why Lee did not take her own life alone. Jimmy Jo, Ian's brother, shared the ongoing pain of the tragedy, stating, "This is an ongoing sentence from which I can never be paroled."

Court's Decision

Judge Venning ordered that Lee be treated as a "special patient" during her imprisonment due to her mental health condition. He noted that Lee's inability to cope with her husband's illness and death may have contributed to her actions, but emphasized the vulnerability of the children and the calculated nature of the crime.