An 18-year-old surnamed Kim was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Friday for killing his girlfriend and abandoning her body.

Kim’s friend and accomplice, surnamed Yang, was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

Kim was convicted for strangling his girlfriend in February in Hwasun-gun, South Jeolla Province, and hiding her body in a nearby reed field. Yang helped dump the body.

The Gwangju District Court handed down the differing sentences based on evidence of Kim’s active attempts to cover up his crime. Kim discarded the victim’s cellphone and joined victim’s grief-stricken family in searching for her. He shared photos of his efforts via social media.

The court said it took into consideration that the friend, Yang, had regretted his actions and suggested Kim turn himself in.

The victim was last seen alive by her family leaving home to see her boyfriend. She did not return home that day and was found dead with several bruises on her face.

By Lim Jeong-yeo (kaylalm@heraldcorp.com)