'Father of Missing University Student in Hangang: "Evidence May Be on Friend's Phone"... Whereabouts Remain Unknown'

Jeongmin's Father "Will Submit the Cell Phone Secured Yesterday to the Police"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] The funeral of university student Son Jeong-min (22), who went missing after falling asleep at Seoul Hangang Park and was later found dead, has concluded, but questions surrounding his death remain unresolved. The mobile phone of his friend A, who was with him at the time of disappearance, has been identified as a clue that could help clarify the circumstances of the death, but its whereabouts remain unknown.

On the 6th, Son Hyun (50), Jeong-min’s father, said in a phone interview with Asia Economy, "I believe the missing A’s mobile phone contains evidence or circumstances related to Jeong-min’s death," adding, "The phone secured yesterday (by a private search team) will be submitted to the police." He continued, "If the police do not confirm it as A’s phone, it won’t have much significance," and said, "I am not expecting too much to avoid disappointment, but I will do everything possible." He also expressed gratitude, saying, "Many people are voluntarily helping with the phone search, and I have conveyed my thanks to them. If they need support, we will provide it."

The previous day, a private search team reported that a young couple found an iPhone near the Hangang River and secured it, then handed it over to Son. However, it is known that the phone was found quite far from the disappearance site.

A’s mobile phone is presumed to help clarify the circumstances of Jeong-min’s death. Jeong-min’s phone is a Galaxy model, while A’s phone is an iPhone. Earlier, when Son met with A’s family on the day Jeong-min went missing, April 25, A was holding Jeong-min’s phone. However, A’s phone was not found on Jeong-min when he was discovered at the Hangang River.

On the 3rd, a damaged mobile phone was found in the water near Jeong-min’s disappearance site, but police verification confirmed it was not A’s. Additionally, a private search team secured an iPhone found near the Hangang River by a young couple the previous day and plans to deliver it to Son. However, this phone was also found quite far from the disappearance site.

With A’s phone still missing, private rescuers volunteering are searching for the phone in the vicinity of Jeong-min’s disappearance and other areas along the Hangang River. The police also conducted a large-scale search operation the previous day, securing nearby closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage and vehicle black boxes, focusing their investigative efforts on reconstructing the events of that day.

However, news that private rescuers or search teams, not the police, have secured A’s phone has sparked criticism of the police, with some saying the investigation is sluggish. On the previous day, a petition titled "(Son Jeong-min Case) Petition Regarding the Investigation Agency’s Non-cooperation" was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board, garnering over 56,000 signatures by 10 a.m. The petitioner stated, "The investigative agency, which should be dedicated to honesty and sincerity on behalf of the deceased’s father, has not taken basic measures to clear the injustice, resulting in time passing without progress," and urged "a swift and sincere advancement of the investigation."