If You Have a Mobile Phone, Underwater Search Planned for Saturday
Downstream Search Scheduled
Autopsy Results for Jeongmin Expected as Early as This Week
Kim Cheol-ju, head of the UTR headquarters, is conducting an underwater search in the Han River on the 11th. Photo by Lee Jung-yoon leejuyoo@
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] The search for friend A’s cellphone, who was with university student Son Jeong-min (22) who went missing and was found dead at Seoul Hangang Park, continues, but its whereabouts remain unknown. The specialized deep-sea diving team plans to conduct one more underwater search in the Hangang River after an internal meeting.
Kim Cheol-joo, head of UTR (Underwater Technical Research), said on the 11th, "If internal discussions suggest the possibility that A’s cellphone is in the Hangang River, we plan to conduct a downstream search for one day on Saturday (the 15th). If the conclusion is that the cellphone is not there, we may not proceed." He added, "If we have information, we will focus on that area, but currently the search area is too vast."
Head Kim conducted underwater searches from the 10th until the previous day. Kang Tae-heon, team leader of KL Sports, also entered the Hangang River for about three hours to look for the cellphone. After finishing the search around 4:30 p.m. the previous day, Head Kim told reporters, "I am 100% confident personally that there is no cellphone in the area we searched since yesterday." Team leader Kang also said, "If the cellphone fell into the Hangang River, it would not have moved beyond a 5-meter radius from that spot. Assuming the cellphone is in the Hangang River, if more divers can be deployed, it can be found quickly."
A’s cellphone was identified as a key clue that could resolve suspicions on the day of the disappearance, but its whereabouts remain a mystery. On the day of the disappearance, the 25th of last month, A was holding Jeong-min’s cellphone when meeting Jeong-min’s family and others. The cellphone of A was not found on Jeong-min, who was discovered in the Hangang River.
The police are also continuing the search for A’s cellphone. A police official said, "Experienced personnel for finding the cellphone will be supported daily, and the Hangang River search schedule is continuously planned." However, despite searches by civilian divers and the police, the 'iPhone 8 Space Gray' believed to be A’s cellphone has not been found.
Attention is also focused on the detailed autopsy results from the National Forensic Service. Usually, it takes about a month for the National Forensic Service’s opinion to be released, but the results are expected as early as this week or by next week at the latest. After conducting an autopsy on Jeong-min’s body on the 1st of this month, the National Forensic Service reportedly gave a preliminary verbal opinion stating, "Due to decomposition of the body, the exact cause of death cannot be determined visually." If the autopsy reveals an exact cause of death and any criminal connection, the police can convert the missing person case into a criminal investigation and continue their inquiry.
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