Subway Ads Honoring Late Son Jeong-min Displayed at Seoul City Hall and Samsung Stations
Netizens Debate "A Reminder Not to Forget" vs. "Excessive"
Subway advertisement commemorating the late Son Jung-min displayed at Seoul City Hall Station (left) and Son's memorial advertisement posted at Express Bus Terminal Station on Line 9 (right). /Photo by Online Community Capture. [Image Source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Netizens are engaged in heated debates after it was revealed that subway advertisements commemorating the late university student Son Jeong-min (22), who was found dead five days after going missing at Banpo Hangang Park in Seoul last April, were displayed.
Recently, a post titled "Current Status of the Late Son Jeong-min's Subway Advertisement" was uploaded on an online community. The post included photos of three subway advertisements displayed at Seoul City Hall Station to commemorate Son's death.
Each advertisement features phrases such as "I love you, Jeong-min. A gift the sky gave us, we will never forget you," and "Son Jeong-min Forever," along with numerous Post-it notes that appear to have been placed by citizens mourning his death.
Subway advertisements commemorating Son's death were also displayed at Samsung Station on Line 2 in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The ads included messages like "Thank you, Jeong-min," and "We will never forget you, forever, we will definitely meet again."
A memorial advertisement for Mr. Son posted at Express Bus Terminal Station on Line 9 subway. Photo by Online Community Capture. [Image source=Yonhap News]
After it became known that subway advertisements commemorating Son were displayed, netizens' opinions were divided. Netizen A said, "As Son Jeong-min's father said, this is a case with lingering doubts," adding, "Since there are unresolved grievances, I think the ads were put up to remind people not to forget the case. Considering that birthday ads for idols are also done, there is no need to criticize ads done at one's own expense."
Another netizen B said, "How would you feel if your own child or sibling died leaving such grievances?" and added, "It might be better to just watch quietly."
On the other hand, some criticized that displaying subway advertisements for mourning is excessive. Netizen C said, "It is hard to readily understand putting up the deceased's photo in a public place for mourning," and added, "While it is unfortunate for the deceased and the bereaved family, subway advertisements are too much."
Previously, on April 25, Son, a medical student, went missing after drinking with his friend A at Banpo Hangang Park in Seoul and was found dead five days later. The police conducted a large-scale investigation involving 35 officers from seven violent crime teams but found no evidence of criminal charges, and in June, the Death Incident Review Committee closed the case.
However, on June 23, Son's father, Son Hyun, filed a complaint with the police accusing A, who had been drinking with his son before he went missing, of assault resulting in death and abandonment resulting in death.
Subsequently, the police re-examined the T-shirt Son was wearing at the time of the incident through the National Forensic Service but found no evidence to prove the charges. Ultimately, in October, the police made a final decision not to prosecute due to insufficient evidence and did not forward the case to the prosecution.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
