Police "Digital Forensics Investigation Initiated... Official Investigation Not Yet Started"
The family of a public official from Imsil-gun, Jeonbuk, who left a message claiming to have been sexually assaulted by a senior official before passing away, has urged investigative authorities to accurately clarify the facts. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Bong-ju] The family of a public official from Imsil-gun, Jeonbuk, who died after leaving a text message claiming to have been sexually assaulted by a senior official, has urged investigative authorities to accurately clarify the facts.
The family of the deceased official, Mr. A, stated on the 15th, "The deceased proved through taking their own life that they were too distressed and ashamed to continue working due to this (sexual assault) incident."
They added, "If this is not true, then what is the truth? What more must be shown to prove the truth?"
The family plans to formally request a police investigation into the sexual assault reported by Mr. A in text messages sent to an acquaintance and a senior official at the county office before his death.
The Imsil Police Station said they are conducting investigations, including digital forensic work on Mr. A’s mobile phone.
They intend to investigate the causal relationship between Mr. A’s death and the sexual assault through text messages and call records on the phone.
However, the police stated that since no specific victimization has been confirmed so far, they have not officially launched a criminal investigation or charged any related parties.
A police official said, "We have received tips regarding the related case and are conducting a preliminary investigation. If detailed victimization is revealed through forensics, we can transition to a formal investigation."
Earlier, Mr. A died by suicide around 5:30 p.m. on the 11th in the bathroom of his home in Imsil-eup.
Before his death, Mr. A reportedly sent a text message to an acquaintance saying, "It seems difficult to work with the senior official who sexually assaulted me due to personnel transfers."
The senior official from Imsil-gun, implied by Mr. A as the perpetrator of the sexual assault, denied the allegations on the same day, stating, "Since working together for three months in 1992, I have not worked or met with the deceased. We never had dinners or drank together."
The official added, "I also have a family and am deeply distressed. I swear I have no connection with the deceased."
※ If you or someone around you is struggling with difficult issues such as depression, you can receive 24-hour professional counseling through suicide prevention hotlines ☎1577-0199, Hope Phone ☎129, Lifeline ☎1588-9191, or Youth Phone ☎1388.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
