Citizens Take to Streets Demanding Truth Behind Son Jeongmin's Death... Conspiracy Theories Spread Online

Over 300 Gather at Park Where Late Son Jeong-min Went Missing
"Demand Truth Behind Jeong-min's Death," "Stop Evidence Tampering" Protested
Speculation and Conspiracy Theories Spread on SNS and Online Communities
Experts Say "Investigation Is Public Authority's Role... Citizens Should Avoid Detective Games"

On the afternoon of the 16th, participants are holding their ground under umbrellas at the 'Peace Rally for the Late Son Jeong-min' held near the water taxi dock at Banpo Hangang Park in Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] As protests demanding a thorough investigation into the death of the late Son Jeongmin (22) have taken place, some citizens are raising suspicions of a botched police investigation, while various conspiracy theories are spreading online. Netizens are circulating conspiracy theories about the relationship between the head of the police investigation division and Jeongmin’s friend A, and are effectively accusing A of being the culprit, making numerous unfounded speculations.

On the afternoon of the 16th, about 300 citizens gathered near the water taxi dock at Banpo Hangang Park in Seoul. They held placards with phrases such as "Demand swift, fair, and accurate investigation," "Uncover the truth behind Jeongmin’s death," and "We are Jeongmin’s parents," raising their voices to call for a precise investigation into Jeongmin’s death.

Jeongmin was drinking with his friend A at this location from around 10 p.m. on the 24th of last month until about 2 a.m. the next day, after which he fell asleep and went missing around 4:30 a.m., approximately two and a half hours later. He was found dead by the water five days later.

The National Forensic Service’s autopsy suggested that Jeongmin died by drowning. Son Hyun, the deceased’s father, expressed in a radio interview, "I somewhat expected the cause of death to be drowning," but also raised questions, saying, "I just want to know how my son ended up in the water."

Citizens participating in the march to commemorate the death of Jeong-min and to demand a thorough investigation are marching. / Photo by Yonhap News

Amid these circumstances, citizens have called for a thorough police investigation. According to multiple media reports, around 2 p.m. on the 16th, citizens gathered at Banpo Hangang Park shouted slogans such as "Do not tamper with evidence" and "Release the CCTV footage" while marching. Some citizens even pointed to Jeongmin’s friend A as the suspect, demanding that he be investigated.

The protest reportedly did not have a formal assembly report filed. When the police requested the dispersal of the gathering, some protesters surrounded the police and shouted, leading to clashes. Agitated citizens broke away from the march, chanting "Let’s go to Seocho Police Station," and left the park.

The citizens who gathered for the protest reportedly came together voluntarily after seeing posts raising suspicions about Jeongmin’s death on social media and internet communities. Various speculations related to the incident are circulating online.

Protest participants reportedly gathered voluntarily after seeing related posts on social networking services (SNS) and internet communities. / Photo by Internet Community Capture

The problem lies in the fact that many cases go beyond mere speculation, with innocent citizens being presumed culprits or unverified conspiracy theories spreading widely.

On social media, rumors spread that A is the nephew of Choi Jonghyuk, the head of the Seoul Police Investigation Division and former chief of Seocho Police Station. Some netizens even disclosed personal information such as Choi’s profile and career history. On the 16th, Choi directly refuted these claims through Yonhap News, stating, "I have no familial relationship with A," and added, "I only have brothers, no sisters, so I cannot be anyone’s maternal uncle."

Additionally, posts labeling A as a criminal appeared, with unfounded claims such as "He is buying time by hiring a lawyer," and "There are too many bad people in the world. To kill a friend..." Furthermore, a hospital speculated to be run by A’s father was targeted with a "review bombing" campaign.

On the 11th, a review page for a hospital in Seoul registered on Kakao Maps received the lowest rating of one star, accompanied by abusive comments such as "Hospital attended by the father of a murderer. Never go there," "Don’t live your life like that," and "Demonic person. Your family and the police are all accomplices and murderers."

Malicious comments from netizens are posted on the review page of a hospital in Seoul on 'Kakao Map.' / Photo by Internet homepage capture

As the baseless rumors from some netizens have grown uncontrollably, experts have pointed out that citizens need to maintain some distance from the case.

Kim Eonkyung, director of the 'Mungcle' Media Research Institute, said in a recent interview with YTN, "The bereaved family has the right to demand additional investigations, so the police investigation must be thorough," but emphasized, "Public authority should not take suspicions lightly and must do their best, but the investigation is ultimately the police’s responsibility. The media and the public should not play detective."

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