"Trunk Open and Overturned"…Missing Family's Vehicle Found Off Wando Coast (Comprehensive)

Family Car of Joyuna Jo Matches License Plate and Year... Scheduled for Recovery on the Morning of the 29th

On the afternoon of the 28th, an Audi passenger car presumed to be the vehicle of the family of 10-year-old Jo Yuna, who went missing under the cage aquaculture farm located 80 meters from the breakwater at Songgok Ferry Terminal in Sinji-myeon, Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do, was discovered. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] The vehicle of the family of 10-year-old Jo Yuna was found in the sea off Wando, Jeollanam-do, 28 days after contact was lost. The police plan to begin salvage operations after dawn on the 29th.

According to the Gwangju Police Agency and Wando Coast Guard, at around 5:12 p.m. on the 28th, an Audi passenger car matching the license plate and model year of Jo's family vehicle was found underwater about 80 meters from the breakwater near Songgok Port, Sinji-do, Wando-gun.

The water depth at the location where the vehicle was found is between 7 and 10 meters. Coast Guard and land-based diving personnel visually confirmed that the car was caught at the end of a fish cage aquaculture facility.

At the time of discovery, the vehicle was overturned and the trunk was open. The police retrieved travel bags and other items from the trunk. Although the police could not confirm whether Jo's family was inside the vehicle, they believe occupants are likely inside.

The police plan to cooperate with the Coast Guard to salvage the vehicle at 10 a.m. on the 29th.

On the afternoon of the 28th, an Audi passenger car, presumed to be the vehicle of the family of 10-year-old Jo Yuna who went missing under the cage aquaculture farm 80 meters from the breakwater at Songgok Ferry Terminal in Sinji-myeon, Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do, was found.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, Jo's family had applied to the school to go on an experiential learning trip to Jeju before going missing in Wando, Jeollanam-do. The police investigated the family's mobile phone location tracking, closed-circuit television (CCTV), and inquiries, confirming that the family crossed the Gogeum Bridge into Wando by car around 2 p.m. on the 29th of last month.

On the 30th of last month, the family left the pension where they were staying by car around 11 p.m., and around 4 a.m. the next day, signs of life such as mobile phone base station signals were detected near Songgok Port in Sinji-myeon, Wando-gun, after which their whereabouts became unknown.

According to the police, Jo's family appears to have been experiencing financial difficulties. A yellow notice indicating 'Court Special Mail Delivery' related to civil and criminal lawsuits or debt defaults was attached to the front door of the apartment in Nam-gu, Gwangju, where the family lived, and it was reported that the rent was also overdue.

Jo's father, who was in the computer sales business, closed his business at the end of last year and has not engaged in any significant economic activity since. Jo's mother, Ms. Lee, is also reported to have quit her job around the same time.