[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Min Jun-young] As Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon was found dead in the mountains near Bukaksan in Seoul on the 10th, Japanese media reported this as major news.
Kyodo News reported early that day as breaking news, stating, "Mayor Park, a member of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea and a potential candidate for the next election, was found dead in Seoul."
The agency reported, "After Mayor Park left the official residence on the morning of the 9th, contact was lost, and in the evening, Mayor Park's daughter reported to the police that he left home leaving what seemed like a will," adding, "Mayor Park was under accusation of sexual harassment by a former female secretary."
It continued, "Mayor Park's administration in Seoul was relatively stable, having received 60.5% support in a public opinion poll last May," and explained, "His death is causing unrest within the ruling coalition."
Regarding Mayor Park's relationship with the Japanese government, it also mentioned, "Mayor Park consistently pointed out the responsibility of the Japanese government over the issue of former Japanese military comfort women."
The agency reported, "Park, who participated in founding 'Participation Solidarity,' a leading Korean civic group that campaigns against corrupt politicians and was known as an 'activist lawyer,' consistently criticized the Japanese government's response to the former Japanese military comfort women issue."
It also reported, "In 2000, he participated as a prosecutor for the Korean side at the 'International Women's War Crimes Tribunal' held in Tokyo by NGOs from Japan and Asia, focusing on sexual violence by the former Japanese military."
Japan's public broadcaster NHK reported the news of the death of Park Won-soon, Mayor of Seoul, on the 10th. Photo by NHK website capture
Japan's public broadcaster NHK also reported the news of Mayor Park's death.
NHK reported, "Mayor Park, a human rights lawyer, was first elected in the 2011 Seoul mayoral election and was serving his third term," adding, "The sudden death of the progressive leader who led the administration of the capital city with a population of 10 million is causing widespread shock."
It continued, "In 2017, Mayor Park carried out a 'political performance' by boarding a city bus where a statue symbolizing the comfort women issue was installed on a seat," and explained, "He was mentioned as one of the candidates for the 2022 presidential election within the progressive camp."
The Yomiuri Shimbun also reported the news under the headline, "Mayor Park was found dead in the mountains after leaving what seemed like a will to his daughter."
In addition, major media outlets such as Mainichi, Asahi, and Nihon Keizai also placed the news of Mayor Park's death as major news, showing interest in the incident.
Earlier, Mayor Park was found dead around midnight near Samcheonggak in the mountains of Bukaksan, Seoul.
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