[Comprehensive] "No Staggering" Doubts Raised About 'Blackout' by Late Jeong Min's Family

First Public Release of 13-Page Statement
"Not Claiming 'I Don't Remember'... Requesting Further Investigation"
Friend A's Side Previously Explained Experiencing a 'Blackout'
"No Clear Memory Due to Intoxication"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] As the investigation into university student Son Jeongmin (22), who went missing and was found dead at Seoul Hangang Park, has exceeded one month, the bereaved family has called for additional investigation into Jeongmin’s friend, Mr. A. In particular, the family raised suspicions, stating that Mr. A did not appear to be intoxicated at the time of the incident. Previously, Mr. A’s side explained that he could not provide specific testimony about the accident due to a 'blackout' caused by intoxication.

On the 26th, Jeongmin’s family released a 13-page statement on A4 paper. Previously, Jeongmin’s father, Son Hyun, had continuously posted on his personal blog, but this is the first time the family has issued an official statement under their name.

In the statement, the family questioned, "It is suspicious that Mr. A and his family arrived at Hangang Park around 5:12 a.m. on the day Jeongmin went missing and spent about 20 minutes inspecting the Hangang embankment," adding, "It is incomprehensible that Mr. A used Jeongmin’s phone, which was not locked, or asked his parents not to contact Jeongmin’s parents."

Especially, the family pointed out that Mr. A did not appear to be intoxicated at the time.

On the morning of the 26th, while the police investigation into the case of the late Son Jeong-min, who went missing in the Han River and was found dead, is ongoing, a citizen is looking at the memorial space for Son set up at Banpo Hangang Park in Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

The family urged, "Considering that Mr. A climbed over a double fence and moved to the scene without delay, and passed through a rabbit hole alone without staggering, it is presumed that the claim of 'not remembering' is not true," and requested, "Please focus the investigation on video analysis, lie detector tests, and additional interviews with profilers."

Earlier, on the 17th, Mr. A issued his first official statement through his legal representative, asking for an end to speculation and defamation against him.

In the statement, Mr. A’s side said, "We thought it would not be right to explain that the allegations against Mr. A are unfair when the deceased passed away recently," adding, "Now is the time to mourn the deceased and comfort the family’s grief, and since the police will uncover the truth, we believe the best course is to cooperate fully with the police investigation."

Regarding the reason for not explaining the specific circumstances of the accident so far, they explained, "It is not that we hid the truth, but we really do not know much," and "Due to intoxication-induced blackout (memory loss), there is little memory, so it was difficult to provide specific answers."

CCTV footage of Hangang Park released by Jeongmin's father, Son Hyun. Friend A is seen climbing over the fence and heading into the park. / Photo by JTBC

However, Mr. Son refuted Mr. A’s claim, stating that he did not appear to be intoxicated.

On the 23rd, Mr. Son appeared on JTBC and released new closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage. The footage shows Mr. A crossing a fence with his father and heading toward Hangang Park at around 5:12 a.m. on the 25th of last month.

Regarding this footage, Mr. Son said, "(Mr. A) was wearing slippers, climbed over a double fence, and even put his hand in," adding, "There is no sign of intoxication, let alone a blackout."

He continued, "They said they went to look for him quickly without contacting us, but they went straight to the exact (missing) location," and questioned, "Only Mr. A could have told them that location. Yet Mr. A says he was drunk and doesn’t remember," raising suspicion.

The friend A of the late Jeongmin Son stated to JTBC that "(A's) blackout is supported by objective facts." / Photo by JTBC

On the other hand, Mr. A’s side responded to the suspicions raised by Mr. Son, saying, "There was an additional investigation on the 22nd, and Mr. A has been actively cooperating with the police, including undergoing a lengthy investigation," and rebutted, "The fact that Mr. A experienced a blackout is supported by objective evidence."

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