"Day After the Accident, Perpetrator Changed Password of Younger Sibling's House... Showed Calm Demeanor"
"Lost Life in 19 Seconds Without Time to Fasten Seatbelt"
The open car that was half-destroyed at the time of the accident. Photo by SBS, screenshot from 'Unanswered Questions'.
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] The family of the victim in the so-called 'Jeju Open Car Death Incident,' where a lover died after driving a convertible car under the influence in Jeju, has posted a petition urging strict punishment for the perpetrator.
On the 23rd, a petition titled "I am the older sister of the victim in the 'Jeju Open Car Death Incident' that led to my younger sibling's death. Please help clear the injustice" was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board. As of 8:30 a.m. on the 24th, the petition had received over 5,600 signatures.
The petitioner, who identified herself as the older sister of victim A (28), opened by saying, "Just recalling the incident that led to my younger sibling's death is still unbearably painful and frustrating to the point of madness, but I am writing this to clear my sibling's injustice."
She added, "It has been two years since the accident, and one year since my sibling passed away. I still cannot believe it. This is the last responsibility I can fulfill as a sister for my sibling who left so tragically and pitifully. Please pay attention and help reveal the unjust death," she pleaded.
Earlier, B (34), A’s lover, was driving a rented Ford Mustang convertible (open car) on a road in Hallim-eup, Jeju City, around 1 a.m. on November 10, 2019, when he crashed into a curb, a stone wall, and a cultivator in succession. At the time, B was in a state of intoxication with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.118%, which is above the license cancellation level.
As a result of the accident, A, who was riding in the front passenger seat without wearing a seatbelt, was thrown out of the vehicle by the impact and suffered severe head injuries. After undergoing ten major surgeries and remaining unconscious, A eventually passed away in August last year.
The petitioner stated, "(My sibling) was thrown out of the open car and hit their head severely, undergoing five brain surgeries. Their ribs were broken, puncturing a lung, and their collarbone was dislocated. In total, they underwent ten major surgeries." She continued, "Ultimately, my sibling, who never regained consciousness, passed away after nine months of battling brain damage, unable to live out their beautiful youth."
She also criticized B’s attitude after the accident. "When my sibling was fighting for their life, the perpetrator asked my sibling’s friend that evening to testify to their common-law relationship," she said. "While my sibling was on the brink of life and death, the perpetrator showed no guilt or sadness but remained indifferent and insisted on the common-law relationship, which was completely unacceptable."
She added, "The day after the accident, the first thing the perpetrator did after going to Seoul was to take their laptop and belongings and change the password to my sibling’s house." She questioned, "The perpetrator was calm and nowhere to be seen at the accident scene. What could have been more urgent than the critical condition of the person they loved?"
Later, the petitioner revealed that she found an audio recording on her sibling’s phone. "It was a vivid recording of about an hour from before the accident to the moment it happened," she said. "Listening to it was so distressing and shocking that I nearly lost consciousness."
According to the petitioner, the recording captured B saying, "You’re not wearing a seatbelt?" after the seatbelt warning sounded, followed by the sound of speeding.
She appealed, "It was a horrific accident that happened in less than 20 seconds. The warning sounded just seconds after departure, and my sibling lost their life within 19 seconds of getting into the car without even having time to put on a seatbelt."
In conclusion, she said, "I earnestly hope that a thorough investigation will clear my sibling’s injustice, who lost their life at such a young and vibrant age. I urge the authorities to detain the perpetrator so that all the truth can be revealed and justice served."
Meanwhile, A’s family also demanded strict punishment for B during the third trial held on the 13th. On that day, the Jeju District Court’s 2nd Criminal Division (Presiding Judge Jang Chansu) conducted the third trial for B, who was indicted on charges including murder.
A’s mother pleaded in court, "How can someone who was about to get married not even visit once while my daughter was fighting for her life? Please clear my daughter’s injustice."
The court plans to hold the fourth trial on November 4 at 3 p.m.
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