[Reporter’s Notebook] 'University Student Found Dead in Hangang'... Where Are the Police?

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] Reports are pouring in real-time about university student Son Jeong-min (22), who went missing at Seoul Hangang Park and was found dead. Son Hyun (50), Jeong-min's father, expressed various suspicions, saying, "I am speaking out because I don't want this to end without knowing why my son entered the river." Initially, people regarded it as a simple missing person case, but after hearing the father's voice, they changed their attitude, thinking "there must be something." Then they began to say things like, "Where are the police and what are they doing?"

Citizens who learned about Jeong-min's story took action themselves. They shared missing person flyers online and searched the Hangang River. Ultimately, the body was discovered by private rescuer Cha Jong-wook. He borrowed a metal detector and entered the Hangang River to search for the mobile phone of friend A, who had been drinking with Jeong-min.

Of course, the police are not just standing by. Investigative agencies must announce confirmed, official information. However, while the police have not released any substantial details, various fake news circulated online, causing confusion. Most of these rumors concerned Jeong-min's friend A. False information spread that A's relatives are part of the power elite and are blocking the investigation. On the 6th, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency briefly explained the case to reporters, but there was no content revealing the truth of the incident. The event seemed more like an attempt to explain the criticism that the investigation is stagnant.

Trust in the police is declining. Son Hyun submitted a petition to the prosecution urging that the police investigation not be insufficient, and netizens have formed their own investigative teams, gathering various evidence to verify the situation at the time. As there has been little progress in the investigation, even those volunteering to search mobile phones and other resources appear to be growing weary. A private rescuer said, "I searched the Hangang River for several days, but since nothing came up, I feel like I've done all I can for now," adding, "I'm not giving up, but I plan to try to find the phone through tips and then head back to the Hangang River." While the police remain stagnant, fake news spreads and trust declines. While it is important to put effort into producing perfect results, sometimes the opposite is also necessary.