"Decisive Evidence Coming Soon"... Shamans and YouTubers Exploiting the 'Hangang University Student Case' for Profit

"Perpetrator Exists," "Evidence Will Emerge" - YouTubers Spreading Falsehoods
Citizens Criticize: "Exploiting Others' Deaths for Profit," "Do They Have Conscience?"
Professor Lee Sujeong: "YouTubers Gaining from Sensational Content Cause Confusion"

YouTube videos claiming unverified facts related to the late Jeongmin Son's accident. Photo by YouTube screen capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Some YouTubers are causing concern by indiscriminately spreading unverified information regarding the accident in which the late Son Jeongmin, who went missing in the Han River, was found dead.

One shaman YouTuber claims that Son's death was a "planned murder," while producing false information such as Son having been "assaulted and that decisive evidence will soon emerge." Experts point out that the spread of such groundless claims makes it difficult to distinguish truth from falsehood.

Recently, many videos featuring shamans' opinions on Son's accident have been uploaded on YouTube. These videos use provocative titles such as "Who is the real culprit, friend A of the missing medical student in Han River?", "Medical student at Banpo Han River Park: Not a simple drowning but a definite murder," and "The hidden truth behind the medical student's death at Han River?" They claim there is another perpetrator in Son's accident or that there is evidence of murder.

One shaman said, "I am almost certain. This case is not a drowning accident but a planned murder," and added, "We must clear (Son's) grievances." He continued, "I cannot say exactly who the culprit is, but I think those who know will all know. Heaven knows, the earth knows," and urged, "The culprit who knows the truth should reveal the facts quickly."

A video of a shaman YouTuber speculating the cause of death of the late Son Jeong-min through a fortune-telling reading.
Photo by YouTube screen capture

Meanwhile, another shaman YouTuber attempted to infer the cause of Son's death through "spiritual possession by a deity." He claimed, "(There was) a quarrel between Son and friend A, and the two wounds found on Son's head appear to have been caused by an impact from an object," adding, "That object seems to be A's cellphone."

He also said, "There was definitely a problem involving a woman," and "The matter will be settled by mid-May. Decisive evidence such as a black box will come out, and the evidence will include a photo of the woman." The combined views of these videos reach about 700,000.

Netizens who watched the videos mostly responded in agreement with comments like, "I believe what is said. I hope the truth is revealed," "Anyone can see this was a planned murder," and "The police who judged it as an accident will be punished by heaven."

Among citizens, voices criticizing the YouTubers' actions are growing louder. They point out that not only are unverified false information being spread, but the Son accident is being exploited as a means to make money.

Office worker Lee (29) said, "Do these YouTubers have any conscience to exploit someone's pain and suffering without any guilt?" and criticized, "False information without scientific basis is never a good act for Son or his family."

Memorial space for the late Son Jeong-min set up at Banpo Hangang Park in Seoul./Photo by Yonhap News

Regarding Son's accident, various speculations and false information have previously caused confusion. Rumors spread that friend A was a relative of a high-ranking police official, and information circulated that A's father was a professor at Gangnam Severance Hospital. All of these were proven false.

On the 17th, A issued an official statement appealing to refrain from speculation and conspiracy theories. A's legal representative explained the reason for not making a specific statement so far, saying, "It is not right to explain away suspicions as unfair when the deceased passed away not long ago, as it would be disrespectful to the bereaved family."

He continued, "It will not be too late to judge A and his family after the police investigation results are released," and earnestly requested, "Please refrain from excessive speculation and defamation until the investigation results come out."

Experts expressed concern that the spread of groundless claims causes confusion by making it difficult to distinguish truth from falsehood.

Professor Lee Sujeong of the Department of Criminal Psychology at Kyonggi University said, "There were parts where the investigative authorities could not clearly disclose the direction or progress of the investigation in the early stages. During that time, various conspiracy theories poured out," explaining, "This may be a characteristic of the digital space. It is a phenomenon created as many people share information."

She added, "YouTubers earn money through videos, and to get clicks, they look for provocative and sensational topics," and said, "It is now scientifically clear through the investigation that this accident is difficult to see as a murder. Nevertheless, some YouTubers mobilize shamans and add supernatural opinions to create sensational conspiracy theories. The spread of such false claims makes it difficult to distinguish truth from falsehood."

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