Private divers are searching for the late Son Jung-min's friend's cellphone near the water taxi dock at Banpo Hangang Park in Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Jumi Lee] Regarding the case of the late Sohn Jung-min, who went missing at Seoul Hangang Park and was later found dead, friend A, who had been under various suspicions, has spoken out for the first time. Profiler Bae Sang-hoon criticized, "It is disappointing that the explanations did not address the essential parts."
Profiler Bae appeared on YTN Radio's 'Lee Dong-hyung's News Face-off' on the 17th and said, "There is no information about the whereabouts between 3:48 AM and 4:20 AM," adding, "The key part is that he says he doesn't remember, and the focus was on explaining various speculations and rumors."
Profiler Bae predicted that Sohn's cause of death would be concluded as an accidental fall.
When asked if the police investigation of A, which has progressed to some extent but has not yet resulted in any special announcement, suggests a high possibility of concluding it as an accidental fall, he replied, "I think so too. Based on my experience, the conclusion has probably already been reached," and added, "The conclusion has been made, but they are probably considering how to announce it and other matters."
Regarding A's meeting with the profiler, he analyzed, "In cases of unnatural deaths, there is practically no benefit in deploying a profiler, so it is rarely done. However, they probably used a profiler to assess the real possibility of a blackout."
Profiler Bae said, "If someone has a psychological trait of being particularly absorbed in something and tends to drink heavily in a focused manner, there is a possibility of blackout. But if not, the likelihood of blackout is lower. This much can be understood," and added, "It seems the police are approaching this from various angles."
On the 16th, participants wearing umbrellas are urging for a thorough investigation of the incident at the "Peace Rally for the Late Son Jeong-min" held near the water taxi dock at Banpo Hangang Park in Seoul.
On the same day (17th), A's side explained the facts as they remember them and addressed the various allegations through a statement.
Regarding the criticism that they had concealed specific details, A's side explained, "A and his family did not hide the truth; rather, due to A's blackout caused by heavy intoxication, he hardly remembers anything properly, so they were actually unaware of the details," and added, "They were waiting for objective evidence to be secured as much as possible."
About the allegation concerning the disposal of shoes, they explained, "The shoes were worn out, the soles were detached, and they were even covered with vomit, so they were thrown away with other trash on April 26, the day after the disappearance," and added, "A's mother was not fully aware of the seriousness of the matter at the time and did not pay much attention."
Previously, Sohn left home around 10:30 PM on the 24th of last month and went to drink with A on the grass at Hangang Park, after which he went missing. His body was found six days later, on the 30th, near the water taxi dock at Banpo Hangang Park.
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