(LEAD) Police seek arrest warrant for man in 15-year-old girl's murder

(ATTN: UPDATES with request for arrest warrant, other details; CHANGES headline)

SEOUL, Nov. 12 (Yonhap) -- Police said Thursday they have requested an arrest warrant for a man in his 50s apprehended the previous day on suspicion of killing a 15-year-old girl who was reportedly sexually assaulted by his son.

The 59-year-old suspect, whose identity was withheld, was detained Wednesday after allegedly murdering the girl at a short-term rental property in northern Seoul while heavily intoxicated, according to the Seoul Seongbuk Police Station.

The girl was reportedly a victim of statutory rape in a case involving the suspect's son, who is in his 20s. The alleged offense took place in January. By law, sexual intercourse with a person under the age of 16 constitutes statutory rape even if consensual. The son has been under investigation by prosecutors.

The police said the murder suspect has continued to refuse to give a statement even after sobering up.

"The exact motive for the murder has not been verified yet," a police official said. "We are focusing on verifying the motive and circumstances of the crime."

Investigators have found evidence suggesting the suspect purchased a weapon and a charcoal briquette prior to the alleged murder. He was later found to have discarded the weapon and a damaged cell phone, which police are in the process of determining whether it belonged to the victim.

The rental property where the murder took place was reportedly rented by a woman in her 20s who was in a de facto marital relationship with the murder suspect.

The police said they are investigating the possibility that all of the four individuals may have been involved in a criminal group that extorted money by using "compensated dating" as a pretext.

The Seoul Nowon Police Station has also been investigating the suspect's son, the woman and the girl on charges including theft, receiving stolen property and fraud.

ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)