Teacher Remembers Murdered Children as ‘Adored’ at Trial

A teacher broke down in tears during the trial of Hakyung Lee, who is accused of murdering her two children, Minu Jo and Yuna Jo, in 2018. The emotional testimony unfolded at the High Court in Auckland this week, as the teacher described how the children were “adored” at school. Minu and Yuna, aged 6 and 8 at the time of their deaths, were discovered in suitcases nearly four years later, following an auction of abandoned storage contents.

Lee, who is representing herself with assistance from two standby counsel, has admitted to causing her children’s deaths but claims she is not guilty due to insanity, attributing her mental state to a “descent into madness” after the death of her husband, Ian Jo, in late 2017. The prosecution argues that her actions, including hiring a storage unit and fleeing to Korea, indicate a conscious awareness of her wrongdoing.

During her testimony, the teacher recalled first meeting Yuna when she was five years old, describing her as having “a smile that lit up the world.” She characterized Yuna as “beautifully behaved” and described Minu as a “joyful bubbling boy.” Several jurors were visibly moved, with tears evident during her emotional recollection.

The teacher, Robertson, noted that Lee and her husband were involved and caring parents. She expressed concern about Minu’s speech impediment and cleft palate, fearing he could be targeted at school. However, she observed that Minu thrived initially but became withdrawn following his father’s illness. The last meeting Robertson had with Lee was when she informed her of Ian’s passing in November 2017.

Lee reportedly did not inform her children of their father’s death and planned a holiday to the Gold Coast to create joyful memories before sharing the tragic news. Robertson offered the school’s support, which Lee declined, stating that she intended to return to Korea for familial support after the holiday.

Lee’s brother-in-law, Jimmy Sae Wook Cho, also testified, revealing that Ian had received unsuccessful cancer treatment in South Korea. Cho noted that Lee had been reluctant to take the children to see their father in the hospital but was eventually convinced to allow them a visit before he died. He described her as experiencing depression but dismissed it as a normal reaction to the circumstances.

In January 2018, a chance encounter in South Korea with Lee surprised her friend, Gina Min, who had not heard from her for weeks. Min recalled that Lee had closed all her social media accounts and had not allowed her to visit Ian in the hospital or attend the funeral. During a brunch, when discussing emergencies, Lee reportedly suggested her husband would be prioritized over her children, a comment that struck Min as concerning.

The court also heard from experts about the role of the antidepressant nortriptyline in the children’s deaths. Prescribed to Lee in 2017 for sleep issues, the drug was found in low levels in the children’s bodies, but experts could not determine if it had caused their deaths or if they had died by other means. Forensic toxicologist Helen Poulsen explained that the passing of time made it difficult to assess the drug levels accurately.

Lee’s former family doctor, Dr. Rama Velalagan, testified that he had no prior knowledge of any mental health issues. He last saw Lee in August 2017, when she expressed difficulty sleeping due to stress but did not reveal any suicidal thoughts. It was only after receiving a letter from health authorities in November 2017 that he learned of her intentions.

Jurors were presented with evidence from nurses who had cared for Ian Jo during his time at Tōtara Hospice. One nurse recounted Lee’s distress and her messages indicating suicidal intent during her husband’s final days. A mental health nurse who assessed Lee noted that while she expressed fear and pain, she ultimately stated that her children were not possessions she could harm.

As the trial continues, the focus remains on the complex dynamics of mental health, grief, and the tragic outcomes of this case. The proceedings are expected to last four weeks.

For those in need of support, various resources are available, including the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 0508 828 865 and Lifeline at 0800 543 354.