Korean slain by fellow Korean

A quarrel over a construction business led to the shooting to death yesterday of a South Korean engineer by his fellow South Korean in San Juan, the police said.

The victim, Chol Ho Lee, 33, sustained gunshot wounds in the left groin and the right forehead. He died while being treated at the Cardinal Santos Memorial hospital.

Chol’s death came barely two weeks after Chung Young Ho, third secretary of the Korean Embassy in Manila, was found dead in Marikina City after he was allegedly victimized by the notorious Ativan Gang.

Chol’s alleged killer, Chong Tae Kim, 35, a businessman, gave himself up to responding policemen. He is now detained at the San Juan detention center.

Superintendent Rodrigo de Gracia, San Juan police chief said the victim and the suspect were close friends.

De Gracia said Chol moved in with Chong at the latter’s rented condo unit at Unit 12 Delta Goldland Plaza located at No. 8 Eisenhower St., Greenhills.

Witnesses said the two were in their house when they were heard arguing at about 2:30 a.m. over business matters. At the height of the argument, Chong allegedly drew a 9 mm automatic pistol and fired all its bullets at Chol.

"As of now, the suspect refuses to say what sparked their argument or the motive behind the killing," said de Gracia.

Responding policemen found the bloodied Chol in the sala of the condo unit. He was taken to the hospital but was declared dead by Dr. Ramon Dy Ragos seven hours later.

The suspect, who was still holding the murder weapon, let the San Juan policemen inside his condo unit. He threw away the gun but de Gracia said his men picked up the handgun as evidence.

Officials of the Korean embassy coordinated with the San Juan police to determine the motive behind the engineer’s killing. – Non Alquitran