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S. Korea police chief apologizes, resigns

SEOUL, April 9 (UPI) -- South Korea's national police chief resigned Monday after apologizing for the police response to an emergency call from a woman killed by her kidnapper.

Cho Hyun-oh, commissioner of the National Police Agency, resigned amid criticism of the handling of the April 1 emergency call, CNN reported.

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South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported the mutilated body of the 28-year-old victim was found at the house of the murder suspect in Suwon, late on the morning of April 2, about 13 hours after she called police.

In a call that lasted 7 minutes, 36 seconds, she gave a detailed description of her location and said she was being abducted and raped, a recording of the phone call revealed.

Police had claimed the call lasted only 15 seconds, that the victim didn't give her exact location and that 35 police officers responded to the scene.

But she actually gave what Yonhap called a "relatively clear" explanation of her location and only six officers responded.

At a news conference Monday, Cho said: "I pray for the victim's soul, express my condolences to her family, and ask for forgiveness. I blame myself deeply and express my heartfelt apology for the carelessness of the police and the horrendous results it led to, as well as for causing disappointment to the people through the police's attempt to cover up and their lies."

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A 42-year-old Korean-Chinese man with the surname Woo has been arrested in the woman's slaying.

Seo Cheon-ho, commissioner of the Gyeonggi Provincial Police Agency, which has jurisdiction over Suwon, reportedly offered to resign, Yonhap said.

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