5-Year-Old’s Death Ruled Homicide; Murder Charge Likely for Korean American Father

A Korean American father murder charge is now likely after an autopsy ruled the death of his 5-year-old daughter a homicide in Federal Way. The case involves Woojin Han (29), who was arrested in May after his daughter died following alleged assaults.

On September 1, the King County Medical Examiner’s Office determined the child, identified as Sujin Han, died from circulatory failure caused by dehydration and multiple blunt-force injuries. The death was officially classified as homicide. Officials from the King County Medical Examiner’s Office and the Federal Way Police Department confirmed the findings on September 2.

Until now, a murder count had not been filed against Woojin Han. Prosecutors had said they would charge only offenses supported by provable evidence during the investigation. With the autopsy ruling, prosecutors are likely to amend the indictment based on additional evidence, potentially adding a murder charge.

The incident occurred on May 29 at Glen Park Apartments on Campus Drive in Federal Way. Woojin Han called 911 to report an “emergency,” saying his daughter was not breathing. Responding officers found him performing CPR. The child was unconscious, with severe bruises and lacerations on her forehead, cheeks, and jaw. She was taken to a hospital but later died.

Investigators found that Woojin Han had repeatedly beaten his daughter with objects such as a metal thermos-like cup or a stick. The day before her death, he admitted striking her multiple times in the abdomen after she made a mistake while using the toilet. Police also confirmed he tied her hands to a door bar with rope and bound her feet to a toilet with a towel, leaving her restrained for about three hours.

BY KYEONGJUN KIM [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]