[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] The body of Park Won-soon, the Mayor of Seoul, who was found dead about seven hours after being reported missing, was transferred to Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
After undergoing an on-site investigation by the police, Park's body was moved to Seoul National University Hospital and placed in the morgue at around 3:30 a.m. on the 10th. Park was found dead in the mountains near the Bukaksan Fortress Trail, located between Sukjeongmun and Samcheonggak on Bukaksan Mountain, at 12:01 a.m. that day. The funeral hall is expected to be set up at Seoul National University Hospital's funeral home.
The police plan to decide whether to conduct an autopsy after consulting with the bereaved family. Additionally, they will investigate the exact circumstances of death by analyzing closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage and tracing the route from the Seoul Mayor’s official residence to the discovery site.
According to the police, Park’s daughter reported her father missing to the police at 5:17 p.m. the previous day, stating that "my father left home about 4 to 5 hours ago after leaving what seemed like a will, and his phone is turned off."
On the 10th, as Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon was found dead, firefighters are moving equipment for the on-site investigation. Photo by Song Seung-yoon
It was confirmed that Park left the mayor’s official residence located in Gahoe-dong, Jongno-gu, at around 10:44 a.m. that day. At the time of departure, Park was wearing a dark-colored jumper, black pants, gray shoes, and a black hat, carrying a black backpack. After leaving the official residence, he took a taxi to Waryong Park and is presumed to have continued on foot thereafter.
From 5:30 p.m. the previous day, the police and fire authorities conducted a search operation for six and a half hours centered around Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, where Park’s phone last signaled. A total of 773 personnel were deployed, including 635 police officers and 138 firefighters, along with six drones equipped with night thermal imaging cameras and nine search dogs.
Park’s body was first discovered by a search dog named "Sobaek," one of six search dogs deployed near the discovery site. The location where the body was found is known to be near a frequently traveled path rather than deep in the mountains. Personal belongings such as a mobile phone, business cards, and a water bottle were found at the scene, but no suicide note was discovered.
Meanwhile, it was reported that Park was accused of sexual harassment by a former secretary the previous day. The former secretary, identified as A, filed a complaint with the police on the 8th of this month, alleging that Park had sexually harassed her.
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