Conspiracy Theories Targeting Son Jeong-min's Friend Escalate, Including 'Geu-al Bribery Allegations'...

Claims Arise That SBS's 'Unanswered Questions' Was Requested to Broadcast
Party A Files Defamation Lawsuit Against YouTuber for Spreading False Information
"Malicious Falsehoods... Actively Considering Legal Action"

The lawyer representing Mr. A, a friend of Son Jeong-min, filed a complaint with the police on the 1st against a YouTuber who posted a related video, claiming the so-called 'Geu-al solicitation theory.' / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] As the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of university student Son Jeongmin (22), who was found dead after going missing at Seoul Hangang Park, has been ongoing for over a month, baseless speculation and conspiracy theories targeting Son’s friend A, who drank with him on the day of his disappearance, are rampant. One YouTuber even claimed that A’s side 'requested' a broadcast from a reporter to sway public opinion.

A’s side warned, "Despite our earnest request to stop illegal activities, such acts continue," adding, "We are actively considering legal action."

On the 1st, attorney Jeong Byeongwon of the law firm 'One & Partners,' representing A, filed a complaint against the YouTuber who spread false information about A, charging them with defamation, violation of the Telecommunications Business Act, and obstruction of business.

The YouTuber posted a video titled "Hangang University Student Missing, I’ll Tell You About It" on their YouTube channel on the 30th of last month.

This 1 minute and 48 seconds video depicts a fictional conversation in which Attorney Jeong contacts SBS reporter Jeong Mo and requests that SBS’s investigative program 'I Want to Know That' (Geu-al) air content favorable to A, and reporter Jeong accepts the request.

A part of the video uploaded by a YouTuber who claimed the so-called 'Geu-al Cheongtakseol'. / Photo by YouTube Capture

The YouTuber also fabricated the conversation to make it seem as if Attorney Jeong and reporter Jeong addressed each other with familiar terms like 'younger brother' and 'older brother,' implying a close relationship. At the end of the video, a caption appeared over photos of the two, stating, "You two look so alike. We need to find out what kind of relationship you have." The video had over 170,000 views by 1 p.m. on the day it was posted. However, it is currently set to private.

Attorney Jeong refuted the video’s content, saying, "I have never heard of a reporter named Jeong, and I am the youngest of two brothers and one sister, so I have no younger siblings."

He further explained the reason for the complaint, stating, "The false information spread by the YouTuber is of very poor quality, and considering that they have continuously posted numerous sensational videos since the Son Jeongmin incident, it appears to be for advertising revenue."

This is not the first time conspiracy theories targeting A have spread online.

Previously, on a social networking service (SNS), rumors circulated that A was the child of a high-ranking public official, and a hospital presumed to be where A’s family works was flooded with so-called 'comment attacks.'

A video in which a shaman YouTuber, Jeong Min, speculates on the cause of death through a fortune reading. Photo by YouTube screen capture

Recently, a YouTuber claiming to be a shaman made an absurd claim that they uncovered the truth of Son Jeongmin’s accident through a 'fortune-telling.' This shaman YouTuber said, "There was a dispute between Son and friend A, and the wound found on Son’s head appears to have been caused by an impact from some object," adding, "That object seems to be A’s cellphone."

They continued, "There was definitely a woman-related issue between them," and claimed, "The matter will be resolved by mid-May. Decisive evidence such as a black box will emerge, and that evidence will include a photo of a woman."

Amid these circumstances, One & Partners has issued a warning that it will take legal action against those spreading conspiracy theories about A.

In a notice posted on its official website on the 31st of last month, One & Partners stated, "We have decided to receive all materials related to illegal acts such as spreading false information, disclosing personal information, defamation, insults, and threats concerning friend A, their family, and acquaintances."

They added, "Since our law firm’s attorneys and staff alone are insufficient, we would appreciate it if anyone with related materials could send them to our email address," emphasizing, "We will do our best to protect our client."