[Interview] Son Jeongmin's Friend's Lawyer: "Speculations Pouring Out as if Conclusion Already Reached"

Legal Representative of Friend A's Interview with Our Newspaper
Suspects Manipulation Despite Objective Evidence
Self-Proclaimed Experts Spread False Information
No Motive for Crime Due to Close Relationship with Son
Parents Also Willing to Cooperate for the Deceased's Investigation

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] "Whether it was murder or manslaughter, the conclusion has already been drawn that Mr. A is somehow connected to the deceased's death."

On the 26th, the lawyers representing Mr. A, a friend of university student Son Jeong-min (22), who was found dead after going missing in Hangang Park, pointed out that the speculation spreading online about Mr. A is based on a specific conclusion that "Mr. A is involved in the crime," and that such speculation is being produced and distributed. Yang Jeong-geun and Park Sang-jin, lawyers from the law firm One & Partners representing Mr. A, said this in an interview with Asia Economy the previous afternoon.

Lawyer Yang said, "If objective evidence that contradicts this comes out, the explanation no longer holds and the conclusion should be revised, but it seems people think 'the evidence was fabricated'." Lawyer Park also said, "Most of the people spreading false information have the underlying belief that 'Seocho Police Station is trying to cover up the investigation' or 'a powerful figure is trying to protect someone,' but this is absolutely not true," adding, "Mr. A's family is an ordinary household."

They also expressed concerns about misinformation spreading through experts operating or active on YouTube and other platforms, causing harm. Lawyer Yang said, "The main concern is with so-called experts, whom people trust, but they shamelessly spread absurd falsehoods," adding, "For example, some said that 'lawyers rarely accompany witnesses during investigations,' but lawyers often attend investigations of witnesses or complainants."

The lawyers emphasized that Mr. A had no motive to commit the crime. Lawyer Yang said, "As far as I know, (Mr. A and Mr. Son) were very close," and added, "There is even a KakaoTalk conversation with the meaning of 'If you call me, I'm always on call,' so there is absolutely no motive."

According to the lawyers, Mr. A is struggling so much with the situation that he cannot even ask about the details and is having difficulty communicating. It seems Mr. A's father only hears about it briefly from acquaintances, while his mother encounters it more often. Lawyer Park added, "The father is trying to hold on because the family must not collapse, but the mother has lost her appetite and has visibly lost weight."

The lawyers claim that Mr. A experienced a blackout (memory loss due to excessive drinking) from the time he met Mr. Son on the day before Mr. Son's disappearance, the 24th of last month. Lawyer Yang said, "He initially bought and started drinking two bottles of soju and two bottles of Cheongha, but he has no memory from that point," adding, "So we thought he only drank those two bottles of soju and two bottles of Cheongha, but later, through the investigation agency, we checked receipts and convenience store CCTV and found out he drank more."

When asked about their stance on future police investigations, Lawyer Yang said, "Both Mr. A's father and mother are deeply saddened by the tragedy of the deceased," and added, "They have a strong will to undergo the police investigation even if it takes a long time, for the sake of the deceased."

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