[Summary] "Fortune says it's a woman problem"... Excessive speculation in the 'Hangang University Student Death' case

Conspiracy Theories and Speculations Targeting Late Son Jeong-min's Friend Spread
"There Was a Dispute Between the Two" Speculations Based on Fortune-Telling
Friend A Requests "Please Refrain from Speculation Until Investigation Results Are Out"

Memorial space for the late Son Jeong-min set up near Banpo Hangang Park in Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Amid ongoing police investigations into the case of university student Son Jeongmin (22), who went missing and was later found dead at Seoul Hangang Park, indiscriminate speculation is pouring out on YouTube and social networking services (SNS). Baseless suspicions have been raised against Son’s friend A, who drank with him at the time of disappearance, and even a shaman YouTuber has attempted to infer the cause of death through divination.

Recently, various speculations related to Son’s case have surfaced on online communities and SNS. Some netizens have presumed friend A to be the culprit without any evidence, while unverified conspiracy theories have also spread.

For example, a rumor circulated on SNS claiming that A is the nephew of Choi Jonghyuk, the head of the Seoul Police Investigation Department and former chief of the Seocho Police Station. Some netizens even disclosed personal information such as Choi’s profile and career history. In response to the growing controversy, Choi clarified through Yonhap News on the 16th, stating, "I have no familial relationship with A," and added, "I only have male siblings, no sisters, so I cannot be anyone’s maternal uncle."

Posts categorically labeling A as a criminal also appeared. Some netizens speculated, "He is buying a lawyer to stall time," and "There are too many bad people in the world. To kill a friend..."

A shaman YouTuber who speculated the cause of Son Jeong-min's death accident through a 'fortune telling.' / Photo by YouTube video capture

An absurd incident occurred where a YouTuber claiming to be a shaman attempted to deduce Son’s cause of death through 'divination.'

In a recent video, the shaman YouTuber claimed, "According to my divination, there was a quarrel between Son and A, and the two wounds found on Son’s head appear to have been caused by an object."

The YouTuber asserted that the object causing the head wounds was A’s cellphone, adding, "There is definitely a woman involved, and decisive evidence such as photos of a woman on A’s missing cellphone will emerge." This video had been viewed approximately 280,000 times as of the morning of the 20th.

Meanwhile, on the 16th, hundreds of citizens gathered near the water taxi dock at Banpo Hangang Park, where Son was found dead, to hold a protest demanding a thorough investigation into the death. About 300 citizens chanted slogans such as "Do not tamper with evidence" and "Release the CCTV footage" while marching. Some citizens effectively pointed to Son’s friend A as the culprit, shouting, "Investigate A."

The protest reportedly did not have a formal assembly report. When police requested the dispersal of the gathering, some protesters surrounded the officers and shouted loudly, leading to clashes. Agitated citizens broke away from the march, chanting, "Let’s go to Seocho Police Station."

Citizens participating in the march to commemorate Jeong-min's death and demand a thorough investigation are marching. / Photo by Yonhap News

As speculation and conspiracy theories about Son’s death spread, A issued his first official statement on the 17th through his legal representative, asking for an end to the rumors and defamation.

In the statement, A’s side said, "We believed it was not right to refute the allegations at a time so soon after the deceased’s passing, as it would be disrespectful to the bereaved family," adding, "Now is the time to mourn the deceased and comfort the family’s grief, and since the truth will be uncovered by the police, we think the best course is to cooperate fully with the investigation."

Regarding the reason for not providing detailed explanations until now, they explained, "It is not that we hid the truth, but we genuinely do not know much," and "Due to blackout caused by intoxication, there are few memories to recall, making it difficult to provide specific answers."

They further requested, "Please refrain from excessive speculation and defamation at least until the investigation results are released," and appealed, "If many of the speculations are proven false, we ask for your help so that A and his family can return to a normal daily life."