Police Launch Investigation into the Circumstances of Mayor Park Won-soon's Death

The will of Park Won-soon, Mayor of Seoul, is being revealed on the morning of the 10th in front of the funeral hall at Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] The police have launched a full-scale investigation to clarify the exact circumstances of the death of the late Park Won-soon, Mayor of Seoul.

According to the police on the 10th, the Seongbuk Police Station in Seoul began investigative procedures from the morning to verify various facts related to Mayor Park's death.

The police maintain that there is no suspicion of homicide since Mayor Park's handwritten will was made public, but they plan to check phone call records and movement routes to clarify the exact circumstances leading to Mayor Park's death.

Subsequently, the police will begin the process of questioning the bereaved family and decide on whether to conduct an autopsy on Mayor Park's body in consultation with the family. A police official said, "We are currently consulting with the family regarding the autopsy. Once the comprehensive investigation is complete, a decision on the autopsy will be made."

Meanwhile, the case in which Mayor Park was accused of sexual harassment by his former secretary just before his death will be suspended due to his passing and is expected to be sent to the prosecution with a recommendation of no indictment. A police official stated, "When the accused dies, the case is sent with a no-indictment opinion according to the procedure, and it will be handled through the usual process. The exact timing of the transfer is difficult to predict at this point."

Mayor Park left his official residence in Gahoe-dong at around 10:44 a.m. the previous day and lost contact. Following a 112 report from his daughter, the police and fire authorities conducted a seven-hour search operation and found Mayor Park's body near Sukjeongmun Gate on Bukaksan Mountain at 12:01 a.m. that day. It was reported that Mayor Park was found in a state indicating an extreme choice.