Retiree Beats Up Girlfriend, Demands $150K So He Can Return to South Korea: Prosecutor

Chang Kim, 56 | Cook County Sheriff

PALOS PARK, IL -- Charges were upgraded for a Palos Park retiree accused of beating his live-in girlfriend and forcing her to drive to a bank to withdraw $150,000 so he could leave her and go back to South Korea, prosecutors said.

Chang Kim, 56, was charged with felony intimidation after a lessor charge of domestic battery was dismissed Wednesday morning.

Prosecutors said that on Oct. 28, Kim beat his live-in girlfriend in their Palos Park home, head-butting and kicking her in the chest. Holding a wrench over his head, he threatened to beat and kill her, along with her family and relatives, unless she gave him money.

The woman drove Kim to the Fifth Third Bank in Orland Park and tried to withdraw $10,000. Bank employees grew suspicious about the withdrawal and called police, prosecutors said.

Kim was arrested by Orland Park police on the same day. He remains incarcerated in Cook County Jail.

Bail was set at $100,000. If released on bond, Kim has to surrender any firearms and his passport, and stay away from his girlfriend.

Palos Park police continue to investigate.