"Truth Investigation" vs "Stop Excessive Speculation"... 'Friend Protection Group' Emerges Amid Flood of Allegations

Over 200 Citizens Hold Rally in Rain Demanding Truth Behind Death
"Baseless and Illogical Speculation Is an Attack"... 'Friends Protection Group' Formed
Mr. A's Side States "Clarifying Suspicions Is Not a Duty to the Bereaved" in First Statement

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Joo-hee] Amid a gathering held to commemorate the late Son Jeong-min (22), who went missing in the Han River and was found dead, a group has emerged on social networking services (SNS) claiming that friend A, who is under various suspicions surrounding Son’s death, should be protected.

On the 17th, about 180 people participated in a KakaoTalk open chat room titled "Protect Friend A" and are engaging in conversations.

The chat room notice states, "We oppose baseless and illogical speculation (Gungye-jil, meaning unfounded conjecture) that can be directed at anyone. Currently, there are several open chat rooms, most of which are convinced that friend A is the culprit," and adds, "This room, on the contrary, is mostly composed of people who believe friend A is unrelated to Son’s death."

It continues, "Currently, A has suspended his studies, and A’s father is unable to properly run his business," and adds, "Even if the police conclude the investigation as an accidental death by slipping, it is doubtful that the attacks against friend A will subside. Since these attacks lack grounds, there is concern whether these baseless attacks will ever stop."

A KakaoTalk open chat room has appeared with the purpose of protecting friend A, who is under various suspicions regarding the circumstances of the death of the late Son Jeong-min (22), who went missing in the Han River and was found dead.
Photo by KakaoTalk chat room capture

Netizens participating in the chat room expressed concerns about the public opinion that labels friend A as the culprit, saying, "It is a tragic accident, but it is wrong to stigmatize the friend as the culprit," "No concrete evidence has emerged that the friend is the culprit," and "Condemning a person as the culprit based on various suspicions is an excessive public campaign."

Earlier, the National Forensic Service estimated on the 13th that Son’s cause of death was drowning. However, how Son ended up in the water has not yet been clearly revealed.

In response, there has been a strong public demand to clarify the circumstances of Son’s drowning. Also, online personal information digging on friend A has taken place, and a conspiracy theory has been raised that A’s family and relatives are high-ranking officials trying to cover up the case.

At the 'Peace Rally for the Late Son Jeong-min' held near the water taxi dock at Banpo Hangang Park in Seoul on the 16th, participants are urging for a thorough investigation of the incident while holding umbrellas. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

About 200 citizens held a rally at Han River Park on the afternoon of the 16th, urging a thorough investigation into the circumstances of Son’s death.

They held placards with phrases such as "Reveal the truth of Son’s death," "Demand swift, fair, and accurate investigation," "We will be with you until the end, Jeong-min," and "Even the 400,000 petition was concealed. Who is behind it?" They also shouted slogans like "Release the closed-circuit television (CCTV)" and "Do not manipulate."

Meanwhile, friend A’s side made their first statement regarding the incident on the 17th.

Jung Byung-won, lead attorney at the law firm One & Partners representing A, issued a statement explaining, "What A remembers at the time is only some fragmented things such as feeling himself lying on his side, holding onto a tree with his hand, and trying to wake the deceased. He does not clearly remember the chronological order."

Regarding why they had not made a statement until now, he said, "We thought it would not be right to explain the suspicions raised shortly after the deceased’s death as unjust to the bereaved family." He added, "We earnestly ask that baseless speculation and defamation beyond limits be refrained from, at least until the investigation results are announced."

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