AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – A mother who murdered her two young children in 2018 and concealed their bodies in suitcases has been sentenced to life in prison by the High Court in Auckland. Hakyung Lee, 45, a New Zealand citizen originally from South Korea, must serve a minimum of 17 years before being eligible for parole.

The sentence, delivered on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, by Justice Geoffrey Venning, concludes a case that shocked New Zealand and garnered international headlines. Lee was found guilty in September 2025 of murdering her daughter Yuna Jo, 8, and son Minu Jo, 6. The children's remains were discovered in August 2022 by a family in Auckland who had purchased the contents of an abandoned storage locker at an online auction.

Details of the Crime

The court heard that in June 2018, Lee killed her children by giving them a lethal dose of an antidepressant medication mixed in juice. Following their deaths, she wrapped their bodies in plastic and placed them into separate suitcases, which she then put into a storage unit in Papatoetoe, Auckland. Shortly after, Lee, who was born Ji Eun Lee, changed her name and fled to South Korea in July 2018.

The defence argued that Lee was not guilty by reason of insanity, stating she was in a severe depressive spiral following the death of her husband from cancer in 2017. Her lawyers claimed it was a failed murder-suicide attempt where she had miscalculated the dosage. However, the prosecution successfully argued that her actions were deliberate and calculated, pointing to the steps she took to conceal the bodies and flee the country as evidence that she knew her actions were morally wrong.

Investigation and Extradition

The grim discovery of the children's bodies in August 2022 launched a complex police investigation, codenamed Operation Curb. New Zealand Police identified Lee as the primary suspect and located her in Ulsan, South Korea. An arrest warrant was issued, and in September 2022, South Korean police apprehended her. Following a request from New Zealand, the South Korean Minister of Justice, Han Dong-hoon, approved her extradition in November 2022, and she was returned to New Zealand to face trial.

Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Va'aelua of the Counties Manukau CIB acknowledged the challenging nature of the investigation and thanked South Korean authorities for their vital cooperation.

The Sentencing

During the sentencing, Justice Venning acknowledged Lee's severe depression but concluded her actions were calculated. He stated that she killed her children because she could not cope with the responsibility of caring for them alone after her husband's death. "You knew your actions were morally wrong... perhaps you could not bear to have your children around you as a constant reminder of your previous happy life," Venning said.

Lee was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 17 years. Justice Venning also ordered that she be treated as a special patient in a secure psychiatric facility and will return to prison once deemed mentally fit.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, Lee's mother, Choon Ja Lee, expressed her profound grief, asking, "If she wanted to die why didn't she die alone? Why did she take the innocent children with her?"

Global Context and Relevance

While this case has no direct links to Kenya, it serves as a stark global reminder of the devastating impact of untreated mental health issues, particularly postpartum depression and grief-induced psychological distress. The tragic outcome for Yuna and Minu Jo underscores the critical importance of accessible mental health support systems for parents and caregivers worldwide. The international cooperation between New Zealand and South Korean law enforcement also highlights the established legal frameworks for extradition in complex criminal cases.