"Shut Down the Biased Broadcast Representing Mr. A"... Netizens Angry at 'GeuAl' Broadcast

'GeuAl' to Cover Late Son Jeong-min's Accident in 29th Broadcast
Witness Testimonies, Expert Analysis... "Low Possibility of Homicide" Conclusion
Criticism Floods Online from Netizens, YouTubers
Some Claim Baseless Speculation of "Power Collusion"

On the 29th, Mr. A's father appeared on SBS's current affairs program "Unanswered Questions" / Photo by SBS

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] SBS's current affairs program "Unanswered Questions" (Geu-al) has drawn criticism from some netizens over its conclusion that the late Son Jeong-min's accident was unlikely to be a homicide. Voices calling for the cancellation of "Geu-al" have emerged, accusing the program of unfair broadcasting.

On the 29th at 11:15 PM, SBS's "Geu-al" aired an episode titled "Suspicions, Memories, and Rumors - The Secret of the Death of the Missing University Student at Hangang," covering the details of Jeong-min's accident.

According to the ratings survey company Nielsen Korea on the 30th, this episode of "Geu-al" recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 11.0%. This matches the rating of the July 2019 episode "Secrets and Lies of a Wife - Why Did Go Yoo-jeong Become a Murderer," and since both cases were major social issues, it appears the public interest was high.

In this broadcast, the production team concluded that Jeong-min's accident was unlikely to be a homicide based on witness testimonies, obtained footage, and expert analyses.

Professor Kwon Il-yong of Dongguk University's Department of Police Administration stated in the broadcast, "A crime requires a clear motive and opportunity, but in this Hangang (accident) case, the motive and opportunity aspects are unlikely."

Professor Lee Soo-jung of Kyonggi University's Department of Criminal Psychology pointed out, "Hangang Park is filled with fishing, exercise, and dating activities, so it is very difficult for someone with murderous intent to commit a murder in such an open space."

However, after the broadcast, some netizens fiercely criticized "Geu-al," demanding its cancellation. They claim the program unfairly sided with friend A.

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

Previously, many posts and videos online speculated that A, who drank with Jeong-min at the time of his disappearance, was the culprit. On the 16th, about 300 citizens gathered at Banpo Hangang Park in Seoul, chanting slogans such as "Investigate A" and "Release the CCTV," holding a protest to urge an investigation.

On the 30th, some netizens flooded the "Geu-al" viewer board with protest posts. The viewer board experienced heavy traffic, causing access issues for a while.

One netizen claimed, "They showed no curiosity about the suspicions that existed until now and pushed the story toward an accidental fall." Another expressed frustration, saying, "It was practically a broadcast representing A." Some called for the cancellation of the program, saying, "Cancel the biased broadcast 'Geu-al.'"

Baseless speculation also surfaced. On the 29th, a YouTuber went live immediately after the broadcast, claiming, "The investigative report 'Geu-al' was entirely a broadcast for A," and added, "I believe there is significant collusion with power for this."

This YouTuber particularly criticized A's legal representative, saying, "I've never seen a lawyer engage in media play so actively," and sarcastically added, "Is A some kind of celebrity? I'm starting to get attached. Why are they playing the media like this?"

Amid this situation, A's side has requested restraint from spreading baseless speculation and conspiracy theories about A and his family online.

In a statement released on the 29th, A's lawyer Jung Byung-won said, "From the bereaved family's perspective, they may speculate and raise suspicions," but pointed out, "This presupposes that all responsibility lies solely with A's side, which is an excessively result-oriented speculation."

He added, "Baseless speculation, raising suspicions, spreading false information, insults, doxxing, and other illegal acts are still ongoing," and urged, "We sincerely ask that all related posts on the internet be deleted, and from this point on, we request that no further harm occurs."

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