[Summary] Han River Medical Student's Father: "Will Find Clear Evidence... Will Raise Objections" Conflict Continues with Friend A

Late Son Jeongmin's Father: "The Mask Inside Jeongmin's Pants Is Evidence... Water Entered by Someone"
Ongoing Truth Dispute Since Incident in April
Friend's Side: "Stop Speculation and Defamation" vs Family: "We Want the Truth Revealed Without Any Doubt"

Memorial site for the late Son Jeong-min located near the water taxi dock at Banpo Hangang Park, Seoul
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] Conflict continues between the bereaved family and Son’s friend A regarding the truth behind the case of medical student the late Son Jeongmin, who went missing at Hangang Park last April and was later found dead. Although the police concluded no charges against friend A, who was accused by the family of assault causing death and abandonment causing death, Son’s father, Son Hyun, has raised suspicions of homicide again, claiming "clear evidence was found in my son’s pants."

On the afternoon of the 24th, Son Hyun posted a blog entry titled "The Return of Jeongmin," stating, "If I receive a notice of non-prosecution from the police, I plan to review it and file an objection. Only then can it reach the prosecution," asserting that suspicions of homicide remain in Son’s case.

He pointed out, "What does it mean that the mask was in the pocket? Jeongmin, who always wore a mask at the rabbit hole and convenience store, would have carefully put his mask in his pants pocket when drinking. Then, he must have fallen asleep as the alcohol took effect," adding, "Jeongmin fell asleep next to the tree and fell without moving. Because he was put into the water by someone in that state, the mask remained in the pocket."

He expressed frustration, saying, "Despite so many circumstances suggesting a crime, I keep hearing there is no evidence of a crime. Now, instead of saying there is no evidence of a crime, they say there is insufficient evidence."

On the afternoon of June 29, citizens attending a rally organized by the People Seeking the Truth of the Banpo Hangang Incident (Banjinsa) at the entrance of Express Bus Terminal Station in Seocho-gu, Seoul, are observing a moment of silence to pray for the deceased.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The conflict between Son’s family and friend A has continued for several months.

At the time of the incident, friend A explained that he could not provide specific testimony due to memory loss caused by heavy intoxication, but Son Hyun refuted this, saying, "He did not seem drunk."

As suspicions grew and groups like 'People Seeking the Truth of the Banpo Hangang Incident (Banjinsa)' emerged, sparking a battle over the truth, A issued his first official statement through legal counsel in May, asking for an end to speculation and defamation, explaining, "I did not hide the truth; I simply do not know well. Due to blackout caused by heavy intoxication, I hardly remember anything. It was difficult to provide specific answers."

In response, Son Hyun released CCTV footage to counter A’s position. He shared footage from around 5:12 a.m. on April 25, showing A crossing a fence into Hangang Park with his father, stating, "(A) was wearing slippers, climbed over two layers of the fence, even putting his hands over. Far from a blackout, he did not appear drunk at all."

Since then, Son Hyun has continuously raised suspicions by reconstructing the day of the incident on his blog, persistently demanding a thorough investigation from A and the police. His claims have drawn significant attention, mobilizing over 520,000 signatures on a Blue House petition and becoming a major topic on various YouTube broadcasts.

He said, "After losing my son, all sorts of thoughts come to mind. I only want the reason and background of this incident and the police’s handling of the case to be clearly revealed without any suspicion."

In June, the Coroner’s Review Committee, composed of internal and external police experts, concluded that Son’s death could not be considered a homicide, and the police closed the case as an internal investigation.

However, Son Hyun opposed this and filed a complaint on June 23, holding friend A, who drank with his son until shortly before his disappearance, responsible for his death.

After conducting a four-month investigation, the police announced on the 24th that they had decided not to prosecute friend A, who was accused by Son’s family of assault causing death and abandonment causing death, due to insufficient evidence, and did not forward the case to the prosecution on the 22nd.

The police also sent the T-shirt Son was wearing at the time of the incident to the National Forensic Service for re-examination but found no clues to prove the charges. They explained that, as with previous investigations, the wound on the back of Son’s head was unrelated to the direct cause of death.