South Korean Police Reveal Identity of Lecturer Accused of Killing Chinese Student
Gyeongsan, South Korea, September 1, 2026: South Korean police have publicly identified a Chinese university lecturer accused of murdering a Chinese graduate student in Gyeongsan, North Gyeongsang Province, in a case that has drawn significant attention because of the alleged attempts to conceal the crime.
The Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency on Tuesday released the name, age and photograph of 31-year-old Zheng Changsheng, who is facing multiple charges connected to the death of a 25-year-old Chinese female student. Police said the information will remain publicly available on the agency’s website for 30 days.
Investigators allege that the student was killed at Zheng’s residence in Gyeongsan on August 20. Police later found evidence indicating that the victim’s remains had been moved to multiple locations, including areas in Gyeongju and Gunpo.
Authorities said Zheng was arrested on August 25 and subsequently placed under formal arrest. Investigators have accused him of murder as well as offenses involving the mutilation and concealment of the victim’s body.
Police also allege that the suspect attempted to mislead investigators following the killing. According to authorities, he filed a false missing-person report, turned off the victim’s mobile phone and traveled toward a train station while wearing women’s clothing.
Investigators believe these actions may have been intended to create the impression that the student had left the area on her own and to complicate efforts to determine what happened to her.
The police decision to release the suspect’s identity followed a review by a disclosure committee. Authorities cited the alleged brutality of the crime, the seriousness of the harm, the strength of the evidence and the public interest in preventing similar crimes as reasons for making his personal information public.
Police said Zheng had taught at the graduate school attended by the victim. Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the killing, including the exact motive and the events that followed the alleged murder.
Authorities are also expected to transfer the case to prosecutors after completing the remaining investigation. Zheng is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
The case has attracted attention in both South Korea and China, particularly because the victim was an international student and the suspect was reportedly connected to her academic environment.
Police continue to gather evidence as they work to establish a complete timeline of the incident and determine whether additional charges are warranted.
