[Report] "What is happening?" Citizens in shock over Park Won-soon’s death news

Early Morning of the 10th, Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon Found Dead
Citizens "Can't Believe It, Is This Real News?" Shocked
Former Secretary Accuses Mayor Park of 'Sexual Harassment' Allegations

On the morning of the 10th, in the Seoul Station waiting room, citizens could not take their eyes off the news of Mayor Park Won-soon's death. Some citizens expressed their disbelief, asking, "Is it really true that he died?" showing their confusion. Photo by Min Jun-young, intern reporter mjy7051@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporters Lim Joo-hyung and Min Jun-young] "I can't believe it even while watching the news."

On the morning of the 10th around 8 a.m., citizens met in the Seoul Station waiting room could not hide their shock at the news of the death of Mayor Park Won-soon. Citizens could not take their eyes off the news of Mayor Park's death on the large television set up in the waiting room. Other citizens were also busy checking news related to Mayor Park on their smartphones.

While citizens expressed sadness, they also voiced criticism over the fact that he had been accused of sexual harassment.

Mrs. A, a housewife in her 70s, said, "When I first heard about the disappearance, I thought it might be about property issues, but seeing the news that he took an extreme step is heartbreaking. I don't know if the sexual harassment allegations are true, but if they are, it's really disappointing. Isn't he the mayor of Seoul?"

Mr. B, a worker in his 30s, said, "I just saw the news, so I still don't know what happened. Honestly, I can't believe it and feel uneasy," showing his bewilderment.

With Mayor Park found dead, voices expressing concern about the administrative vacuum in Seoul also continued. Mr. C, a 45-year-old worker, said, "When I first heard the news yesterday, I hoped it was nothing serious, but it ended like this, which is very sad. He led Seoul for 10 years and I thought he changed Seoul in a good direction, so I am worried about what will happen to Seoul going forward," he lamented.

On the morning of the 10th, at the Seoul Station waiting room, citizens are confirming the news of Mayor Park's death through a large television set up in the waiting room. Photo by Min Junyoung, intern reporter mjy7051@asiae.co.kr

Mr. D, a 24-year-old university student, said, "It's shocking that the person who has been mayor of Seoul since I was young was found dead," emphasizing, "I don't know what will happen next, but I hope things stabilize quickly."

Another university student, Mr. E, 25, said, "I can't believe something like this happened to someone like the mayor of Seoul," adding, "I'm worried about what will happen next."

Meanwhile, there were also voices condemning the recent sexual harassment accusation filed by his former secretary. Ms. F, a 25-year-old university student, said, "The sexual harassment allegations are regrettable," criticizing, "The investigation ended like this, which feels unsatisfactory. The damage will fall squarely on the victim and the public."

Mr. G, a 38-year-old worker, said, "When I first heard about the disappearance, I thought it was a major false report. Around yesterday evening, the news kept coming out and I realized the situation," adding, "At first, I thought he would return safely, but hearing that the search was unsuccessful was shocking. Even if the former secretary's allegations turn out to be true, I hoped he would live to pay for his sins, so it's sad to hear this bad news."

Mrs. H, a housewife in her 60s, lamented, "Sexual harassment and then being found dead... this is just not right."

In the early morning of the 10th, police recovered the body of Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon near Sukjeongmun Gate on Bukaksan Mountain in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, where he was found deceased.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, the body of Mayor Park, who was found dead about seven hours after the missing person report, was moved to Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu. After undergoing police on-site investigation procedures, Mayor Park's body was transferred to the hospital and placed in the morgue around 3:30 a.m. on the 10th.

Mayor Park was found dead in the mountains near the Bukaksan Fortress Trail located between Sukjeongmun and Samcheonggak on Bukaksan Mountain at 12:01 a.m. that day. The funeral hall is expected to be set up at Seoul National University Hospital.

According to the police, Mayor Park's daughter reported to the police at 5:17 p.m. the previous day that "my father left home about 4 to 5 hours ago after leaving what seemed like a will, but his phone is turned off," filing a missing person report.

Earlier, Mayor Park was investigated to have left the mayor's official residence in Gahoe-dong, Jongno-gu, at 10:44 a.m. that day. After leaving the residence, he took a taxi to Waryong Park and is presumed to have moved on foot afterward.

The police and fire authorities conducted a search operation centered around the Seongbuk-gu area of Seoul, where Mayor Park's phone last signaled, for 6 hours and 30 minutes starting from 5:30 p.m. on the previous day (the 9th).

The body was first discovered by a search dog named "Sobaek-i," one of six search dogs deployed near the discovery site. Personal belongings such as a mobile phone, business cards, and a water bottle were found at the scene, but no will was found.

It is known that Mayor Park was accused of sexual harassment by his former secretary the day before. The former secretary, Ms. A, reportedly filed a complaint with the police on the 8th of this month, alleging that Mayor Park sexually harassed her.

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