Bereaved Family of Late Son Jeong-min Files Complaint Against Friend A for 'Assault and Negligent Homicide' Charges

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] The family of the late medical student Son Jeong-min, who went missing at Hangang Park and was later found dead, has filed a complaint with the police, claiming that Son’s friend A, who was present at the drinking party just before Son went missing, is responsible.

According to the police on the 24th, Son’s family filed a complaint against A at the Seoul Seocho Police Station the previous day, accusing him of assault leading to death and abandonment leading to death.

Earlier, Son disappeared after drinking with A at the riverside of Banpo Hangang Park in the early morning of April 25, and five days later, on the 30th, his drowned body was found in the Hangang River not far from the place where he went missing.

The police have deployed a large-scale investigation team of 35 personnel from seven major violent crime units, comparable to those handling major violent cases, to clarify the circumstances of Son’s death. However, no evidence of criminal charges has been found so far.

The police plan to soon hold a Death Case Review Committee (심의위), chaired by the Seocho Police Chief, to decide whether to close the case. According to the Police Agency’s Death Case Handling Regulations, a frontline police chief must convene a review committee to decide on additional investigation or case closure if the identity of the deceased is not confirmed or if the bereaved family raises objections. The review committee consists of three internal members and four external members.

If the review committee decides to close the case, the investigation will be concluded. However, if it decides to reopen the investigation, an additional investigation of up to one month will be conducted, followed by a re-review by the provincial police agency. In death cases where the bereaved family raises objections, the results of the review are promptly communicated to the family.