Controversy Over 4-Hour Repetition of 'Agisang-eo' Song... Sudden Death of Inmate

"Held hundreds of times while hanging on the wall"
"Causes excessive emotional stress... Cruel and inhumane"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Juri] An inmate who claimed to have been tortured by having to listen to the 'Baby Shark' song repeatedly for several hours by prison guards was found dead.

According to NBC News and others on the 13th (local time), Oklahoma County prison guards confirmed that inmate John Vasco was found dead in the detention center around 3 a.m. that day.

Vasco was one of four inmates who filed a federal civil lawsuit last year, alleging that prison guards had committed 'torture acts' against inmates.

At that time, Vasco claimed that some guards handcuffed inmates and hung them on the wall while repeatedly playing the 'Baby Shark' song.

Another inmate who filed the lawsuit also made the same claim. According to inmate Joseph Mitchell, inmates had to hang in humiliating positions while listening to 'Baby Shark' for 3 to 4 hours.

The Oklahoma County District Attorney in charge of the case stated that such torture is cruel, inhuman, and causes excessive emotional stress, and that inmates are likely already suffering from trauma.

The lawsuit is currently pending. In July, an Oklahoma district judge stayed further federal lawsuits from inmates until the criminal case against the guards is concluded, and a hearing is scheduled for the 22nd.

Meanwhile, according to Oklahoma prison records, the deceased Vasco had a criminal record dating back to the 1990s, mostly convicted of drug offenses, theft, and firearm crimes.