Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon Found Dead 7 Hours After Missing Report
Hong Joon-pyo "Shocked by Mayor Park's Tragic News... Hope No Damage to the Deceased's Honor"
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Mayor Park Won-soon of Seoul was found dead near Bukaksan Mountain in Seoul early on the 10th, shocking the political world with his sudden death. Conservative politicians, including those from the United Future Party, also expressed their condolences for the deceased.
Independent lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo opened his post on Facebook on the 10th saying, "Why did he struggle so much to live only to leave so tragically?"
He continued, "The news of Mayor Park's death is a great shock. Although he was a junior from his hometown Changnyeong, Gyeongnam, Park was two years senior in the civil service exam, so we had friendly senior-junior debates with laughter. However, our thoughts often differed, and we always walked different paths."
He expressed condolences toward the deceased, saying, "There was even a joke that the next presidential election might be like the Changnyeong county governor election, and I looked favorably on his recent active presidential campaign. But he left so tragically."
Then, Lawmaker Hong concluded, "I hope the honor of the deceased will no longer be tarnished. Rest in peace."
United Future Party lawmaker Hong Moon-pyo also appeared on BBS Radio's 'Park Kyung-soo's Morning Journal' that morning, saying, "This should never have happened, and it is truly regrettable," adding, "I am at a loss for words to explain today's situation of Mayor Park, and I feel a sorrowful thought that 'our society should not become like this.'"
United Future Party lawmaker Park Soo-young also expressed condolences through his Facebook, stating, "Although we belonged to different parties and often had differing policy views, even leading to lawsuits, one becomes solemn in the face of death. I sincerely pray for the deceased's soul."
Former Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-soo also criticized the circumstances surrounding the death. Through his Facebook, he said, "Mayor Park took his own life. It is a regrettable and sad event," but also pointed out, "Beyond a personal tragedy, the nation's true face is shameful."
Meanwhile, Mayor Park was found dead around midnight on the 10th, seven hours after being reported missing. It is known that Mayor Park was recently accused of sexual harassment by a former secretary. The complaint reportedly stated that the secretary was subjected to multiple instances of physical contact by Mayor Park and received inappropriate messages via messenger. The police plan to investigate the exact circumstances of Mayor Park's death.
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