Korean Dictionary
How to say "Suspect" in Korean
“Suspect” in Korean is 용의자 (pronounced "Yong-uija").
용의자
Yong-uija
Usage & Context
A person believed to have committed a crime but not yet proven guilty. Suspects in South Korea have rights including the right to legal representation.
Example Sentence
경찰은 용의자를 조사했습니다.
Police investigated the suspect.
How to use 용의자 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Suspect” is 용의자, romanized as Yong-uija.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 용의자.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce '용의자' as 'Yong-ui-ja'. 'Yong' sounds like 'yong' in 'belong'. 'Ui' is a tricky vowel, like 'wee' but with a slight 'oo' sound at the beginning, almost 'wee-ee'. 'Ja' sounds like 'ja' in 'jar'. The stress is on the first syllable, 'Yong'.
More Example Sentences
A police investigation update.
경찰은 사건 현장에서 용의자의 지문을 발견했습니다.
The police found the suspect's fingerprints at the crime scene.
Discussing the outcome of a police inquiry.
그는 유력 용의자로 지목되었지만, 증거 불충분으로 풀려났습니다.
He was identified as a prime suspect but was released due to insufficient evidence.
A detective reviewing surveillance footage.
CCTV 영상에서 용의자의 얼굴이 선명하게 찍혔습니다.
The suspect's face was clearly captured in the CCTV footage.
Cultural Context
In South Korea, the term '용의자' (yong-uija) is widely used in news and by the police to refer to someone suspected of a crime before formal charges or conviction. K-dramas, especially crime thrillers, often build suspense around identifying the '용의자' and the process of gathering evidence. Public opinion can sometimes be quick to judge a '용의자' even before a trial, highlighting the importance of legal protection for suspects.
Editorial note
We review entries like 용의자 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
용의자를 체포하다
to arrest a suspect
유력 용의자
prime suspect
용의 선상에 오르다
to become a suspect
Related Expressions
피의자
piuija
suspect/accused (more formal legal term)
범인
beomin
culprit, criminal
목격자
mokgyeokja
witness
수사
susa
investigation
More Law & Government Words
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