The Ho Chi Minh City People's Procuracy has issued an indictment prosecuting Kim Jin, 31, and Kang Yo Han, 30, both South Korean nationals, on murder charges.
According to the indictment, at about 0.40 am on December 28, 2024, Lee Chang Dae, Yu Seung Hoon and a group of South Korean friends went to a restaurant on Tran Hung Dao Street, Cau Ong Lanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, to eat and sing karaoke.
A corner of the restaurant where the killing took place (Photo: T.N.).
Yu Seung Hoon later messaged Dang Thi Tuyet Nhung, asking her to join the group at the restaurant.
While going to the toilet, Lee Chang Dae bumped into an LED screen in the room. Restaurant staff demanded compensation, leading to an argument and then a scuffle. Seeing the incident, the restaurant manager called the police.
As some items had been damaged, Lee Seung Ho, the restaurant owner, told staff to hold the phones and personal belongings of Lee Chang Dae's group. Nhung's phone was not taken, however, and she messaged Kim Jin to inform him of what had happened.
At that time, Kim Jin and Kang Yo Han were drinking nearby and quickly went to the restaurant. On arrival, both rushed into the room where the fight was under way.
When a police patrol pushed open the door, officers found that Lee Seung Ho had died. Lee Suk Min, the restaurant manager, was seriously injured, taken to hospital and later found to have suffered injuries assessed at 87 per cent.
The legal representative of Lee Seung Ho has asked the defendants to pay compensation of VND 5.2 billion (about USD 200,000). Lee Suk Min has sought compensation of VND 3.1 billion (about USD 119,000).