"Suddenly Tears Flowed Like a Flood" Son Jeong-min's Father Expresses Helplessness

"Betrayal by Trusted People Continues, Leading to Depression"
"The Only Ones I Can Complain To Are My Older Sisters"

On May 8, Parents' Day, near the water taxi dock at Banpo Hangang Park in Seoul, citizens are giving carnations and other gifts to Son Hyun. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Son Hyun, the father of the late university student Son Jeongmin, who was found dead after going missing at Seoul Hangang Park, expressed a sense of helplessness, saying "There are many frustrating things" and that he feels powerless to do anything regarding his son's death.

On the 10th, Son wrote on his blog, "I couldn't concentrate well even during the day. As betrayals from people I trusted continued, I became depressed, and when I got off the subway after work, it started to rain," adding, "Suddenly, tears burst out like a flood."

He continued, "I am overwhelmed by the helplessness of not being able to do anything for Jeongmin," and said, "Before going home, I had to get things in order, so I quickly called my younger sister. Since my mother is not here, the only people I can confide in are my sisters."

He added, "After crying a lot, I felt a little better," and said, "I went home looking normal because I can never show this side to my wife."

Son explained, "My wife, who is struggling, can cry, but I cannot do that in front of her," and said, "My wife doesn't really look at my blog, so it's okay."

He also shared a photo of Jeongmin taken in the past. He said, "I retrieved a selfie from Jeongmin's phone. When he went to Paris, he seemed quite busy but was taking pictures diligently," expressing regret, "He probably didn't take it intending to make it public like this."

A citizen is looking at the memorial space for the late Son Jeong-min at Banpo Hangang Park in Seocho-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, Son Jeongmin, Son's son, went missing after drinking with his friend A near the water taxi dock at Banpo Hangang Park from around 11 p.m. on April 24 until 2 a.m. the next day. He was found dead underwater five days later, on April 30. The police have been investigating the specific circumstances of Jeongmin's accident for over a month.

Son has raised various suspicions about friend A, who drank with his son on the day Jeongmin went missing.

On the 29th of last month, when the SBS investigative program "Unanswered Questions" concluded, citing expert analysis, that Jeongmin's accident was unlikely to be a homicide, Son expressed dissatisfaction, saying, "SBS 'Unanswered Questions' dislikes us," and added, "I'm trying to respond to the broadcast content, but there is no time to rest."

Attorney Eunsoo Lee (right), the legal representative of A, a friend of the late Jeongmin Son, answering questions from reporters as he entered the Seocho Police Station in Seoul on the 1st. / Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, friend A's side has announced plans for large-scale lawsuits against netizens and YouTubers who have spread false information about him online. The law firm One & Partners, representing A, released a statement on their official website on the 4th, saying, "We plan to sue those who spread false information and malicious comments about A, his family, and those around him."

They explained the reason for the lawsuits, stating, "Despite multiple requests to stop illegal acts concerning friend A, his family, and those around him, the posts have increased, and some content has exceeded acceptable limits, causing increasing harm and suffering to friend A and his family." However, they added that if the accused do not wish to be sued, they should delete their posts and send an email expressing a hope for leniency.

Since friend A's side announced legal action, it has been reported that over 1,000 emails requesting leniency have been received as of the 10th.