Police "Investigating a total of 6 fake news cases related to the Son Jeong-min incident"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] The police announced that they are investigating a total of six cases of fake news related to the case of university student Son Jeong-min (22), who went missing and was found dead at Hangang Park.

A Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency official stated at a press briefing held on the 5th, "Including the defamation lawsuits filed by friend A's side against two YouTubers regarding fake news, we are investigating a total of six cases."

Earlier, A's side, through their legal representative, filed a complaint with the police against a YouTuber who posted a video suggesting that an SBS reporter was a close relative and that the SBS program "I Want to Know That (Geu-al)" aired favorable content. They also filed defamation charges against the personnel of the YouTube channel "Shin-ui Han Su." A's side judged that 28 videos posted by Shin-ui Han Su contained defamatory content against them.

Additionally, the police closed the preliminary investigation following the decision of the Death Review Committee. However, on the 23rd of last month, Son's bereaved family continued to pursue the investigation into the case where A was accused of assault causing death and abandonment causing death.

A police official explained, "According to the Death Review Committee's results, the death case has been closed for now. One criminal investigation team is conducting the investigation following standard procedures since Son's family filed the complaint, and one violent crimes team is continuously verifying Son's final whereabouts before death and whether there is any additional evidence." He added, "If additional clues are found, the investigation can be resumed, so considering that, the violent crimes team is continuing to verify with the goal of 100% clearing all doubts."