Yoon Mi-hyang Aide "Just Trying to Inquire" Shelter Director's 119 Emergency Call Recording Released

Yoon Mi-hyang Posts Memorial for Shelter Director
Police "Investigating Cause of Death"

Yoon Mi-hyang, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is leaving her office at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the morning of the 8th./Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] Son Youngmi, the director of the Seoul Mapo-gu comfort women victims' shelter under the Justice Memory Solidarity, was found dead at her home, and the 119 emergency call recording from the initial reporter has been released. It was also confirmed that the initial reporter at the time of Son's death was A, an aide to Yoon Mee-hyang, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea.

According to the recording obtained by the Future United Party's 'Comfort Women Grandmothers' Damage Truth Investigation Task Force (TF)' from the Fire Department, A knocked on Son's home door in Paju, Gyeonggi Province on the 6th, and when there was no response, reported to 119 at around 10:33 PM that day.

A began by saying, "Yes, I would like to make an inquiry," in response to "This is 119." The remarks section of the recording notes that A is a "female reporter with a calm voice."

A continued, "An acquaintance has not been reachable for several hours now. Recently, she has been unwell and was taking sleeping pills and such, so we came to her home," adding, "Her car is also in front of the house, so we assume she is inside."

She added, "No matter how much we knock now, there is no response, so we are very worried," and upon 119's request to confirm the address, she provided Son's apartment building and unit number.

When 119 asked, "What is your relationship with the person reporting?" A replied, "An acquaintance," and gave her name and the first digits of her resident registration number.

When 119 asked, "Is the phone ringing inside?" and "Can you hear it if you put your ear to the door?" A said, "It seems not to be heard." She also said, "We kept pressing the doorbell continuously."

When 119 asked, "You think the person needing rescue might be in an emergency situation?" A answered, "Yes, just in case."

119 then said, "We will arrive with the police and decide whether to open the door under their supervision. Please wait a moment." About 20 minutes after the report, at around 10:55 PM, a 119 fire truck arrived at the scene with police, forcibly opened the door, and found Son.

On the 7th, Representative Yoon posted on her Facebook, "Dear Director Son Youngmi. You told me to stay together until death separates us, but you left alone like that. How am I supposed to live? You bore that pain and suffering alone, so what do you want me to do?"

She added, "I know your noble heart so well that my heart breaks. Even if you feel lonely, Director, please hold hands a little with Grandma Bokdong. The world we dreamed of together, the world we wanted to create with Grandma Bokdong, let's meet again in that world."

Meanwhile, the police confirmed that Son was seen alone entering the apartment elevator at 10:57 AM on the 6th. From then until the police and firefighters opened the door at 10:55 PM, no one else entered her home.

So far, the direct cause of Son's death is presumed to be suffocation due to airway obstruction, but traces of alcohol and bruises on her wrists and abdomen were found at the scene, suggesting multiple suicide attempts. Antidepressants and insomnia medications were also found inside the house.

The police plan to analyze Son's mobile phone usage records to determine the exact circumstances of her death. Once the digital forensic results of the phone are available, they will check the final call and message reception history.

※ If you are struggling with difficult feelings such as depression and need expert help, you can call the suicide prevention hotline 1577-0199, Hope Phone 129, Life Phone 1588-9191, or Youth Phone 1388 for 24-hour counseling.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.