Amid recent sexual assault incidents, suspicions have been raised that an opportunity to prevent the crime was missed due to Socar's lack of cooperation. Photo by Channel A broadcast screen capture.
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] Amid recent cases of sexual assault involving minors, suspicions have been raised that an opportunity to prevent the crime was missed due to non-cooperation from the car-sharing company Socar.
According to a Channel A report on the 9th, on the 6th, a man in his 30s took a 13-year-old child in a Socar vehicle and drove hundreds of kilometers away, where he sexually assaulted the child.
The police confirmed that the suspect used Socar to transport the victim and requested the suspect's personal information from Socar.
A Socar representative reportedly refused to provide the information, stating that it was impossible without a warrant.
In response, the victim’s parents claim that "Socar’s delayed response prevented the crime from being stopped." They argue that during the time between the victim’s disappearance in the morning and the sexual assault in the evening, Socar did not provide information, causing a missed opportunity to prevent the crime.
The sexual assault occurred around 8 p.m. on the 6th, and the police contacted Socar around 6:30 p.m., one hour and 30 minutes earlier.
After the child was found, the police obtained a search warrant on the evening of the 7th, but according to the police, Socar delayed submitting the information, citing the absence of the person in charge.
Socar only provided the related data to the police on the 8th, two days after the crime occurred.
However, Channel A reported that Socar’s internal regulations allow for providing related information to the police if there is an official document when an incident occurs.
Although there was a manual, it became ineffective due to inadequate response by the staff.
Socar explained, "The employee who responded made a mistake," adding, "After the warrant was presented, the data was properly delivered. There were shortcomings in providing information when a user was involved in an on-site crime."
The suspect has not yet been apprehended, but the police have reportedly identified the suspect’s whereabouts and are tracking him.
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