'Hangang Deceased University Student' Accident... Friend's Personal Information Leaked, Comment Terrorism... Overheated Attention

Son's Case Found Dead After Disappearance Draws National Attention
"Perpetrator May Destroy Evidence" Some Netizens' Speculation and Rumors
Son's Friend's Family Faces Comment Attacks and Personal Information Exposure
Expert: "Investigation Is Police's Job... Public Should Avoid 'Detective Play'"

Chrysanthemums placed to commemorate Son Jeong-min at Banpo Hangang Park in Seoul. / Photo by Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] "The culprit might be destroying evidence and laughing.", "What are the police doing? Conduct a thorough investigation and take legal action."

As public interest overheats regarding the case of Son Jeongmin (22), who was found dead after falling asleep drunk at Seoul Hangang Park, speculation and rumors are spreading. Some netizens have prematurely labeled Son’s friend A, who fell asleep with him at the time of his disappearance, as a suspect, while also bombarding A’s family’s workplace with comments and attempting to expose personal information, escalating the controversy. Eventually, a post pleading "Please stop spreading conspiracy theories" even appeared from within the police.

On the 12th, numerous posts urging the truth to be uncovered about Son’s case were posted on social media (SNS), YouTube, and other platforms. Some have effectively labeled Son’s friend A as a criminal, making baseless claims such as "He hired a lawyer to buy time," and "There are too many bad people in the world. How can someone kill their friend?" along with insults.

Son disappeared after drinking and falling asleep near the water taxi dock at Banpo Hangang Park from around 11 p.m. on the 24th of last month until early the next morning. Five days later, on the 30th, he was found dead near the water’s edge.

On the afternoon of the 30th of last month, rescue workers are recovering Mr. Son's body from the Han River near Banpo Hangang Park in Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

A, who drank with Son, called his parents around 3:30 a.m. on the 25th of last month and returned home an hour later with Son’s cellphone. Son’s family raised suspicions citing △ A’s possession of Son’s phone when returning home, △ disposal of the shoes he was wearing at the time of the incident, and △ hiring a lawyer during hypnotic investigation, calling these actions "illogical." The police summoned A as a witness and questioned him for about 10 hours, and are also conducting digital forensic analysis on A’s family’s cellphones.

The problem lies in the spread of rumors labeling A as a criminal, despite him being investigated only as a simple witness, not a suspect.

On the 10th, malicious comments from netizens were posted on the review page of a hospital in Seoul on 'Kakao Map'. / Photo by Internet homepage capture

Some netizens even launched a "star rating attack" on a hospital presumed to be run by A’s father. On the review page of a hospital registered on Kakao Map in Seoul, there are one-star ratings accompanied by abusive comments such as "Murderer’s father’s hospital. Never go there," "Don’t live your life like that," and "You’re a devil, your family and the police are all accomplices and murderers." Some internet communities have also revealed personal information about A, including his face photo and the school he graduated from.

Conspiracy theories claiming that A’s investigation was delayed due to the police’s "slow investigation" have also emerged. As the controversy spread, a plea from within the police asking to "stop spreading conspiracy theories" was made.

A post asking police officers not to spread conspiracy theories related to the Son case was also uploaded within the police force. / Photo by Internet Community Capture

A police officer from a provincial police agency recently wrote on the anonymous online community for office workers called "Blind," saying, "Those spreading conspiracy theories, unfortunate incidents like medical students going missing at Hangang happen every day. Investigations are confidential by principle," and asked, "Just because it’s covered by the media, do we have to report the investigation progress to the public every time?"

He continued, "Since the case is receiving national attention, the detective team in charge must be fully engaged and examining it more thoroughly than usual," adding, "If you keep spreading baseless conspiracy theories, we have to write investigation reports and issue press releases in response, which delays the investigation."

He also lamented, "It’s frustrating to think about how the investigation staff work hard without recognition and without weekends off."

Experts suggest that while thorough police investigation is necessary given the public interest in this case, ordinary citizens should keep a distance from the investigation.

Kim Eonkyung, director of the 'Mungkul' Media Research Institute, said in an interview with 'YTN' on the 10th, "Many citizens are interested in this case because the suspicions raised by Son’s father seem plausible," emphasizing, "Therefore, the police investigation must be thorough. The bereaved family is not just whining; they have the right to request additional investigation into parts they find suspicious."

She added, "It is true that public authorities should not take suspicions lightly and must do their best in the investigation, but the investigation is the police’s job," and "The media and our citizens should not be playing detective."