Police to Hold Autopsy Review Committee for Son Jeong-min Case... Will Include More External Members for Evaluation

Policy for Selecting 4 External Committee Members
Rules Allow 1-2 Members

Three Coroner Review Meetings Held Over 3 Years
All Concluded with Internal Investigation Closure

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] The police investigating the case of university student Son Jeong-min (22), who went missing at Hangang Park and was found dead, will hold a "Death Investigation Review Committee (Death Review Committee)." The Death Review Committee can deliberate on whether to close the case or if additional investigation is necessary.

A Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency official stated at a press briefing held on the 21st, "We will hold the Death Review Committee," adding, "Due to issues of fairness, we cannot disclose the date and location of the review."

He continued, "According to the Death Investigation Handling Regulations, the chairperson of the Death Review Committee is usually the head of the criminal division of the relevant police station, and there should be one or two external members," but added, "Since this case is not a minor one, we plan to elevate the chairperson to the police chief, have three internal members, and four external members." He also said, "The chairperson does not have voting rights, and when there is a disagreement, a vote is held so that the number of external members is greater."

The police plan to select external members based on recommendations from multiple expert organizations. A police official said, "Although the regulations stipulate that there should be more internal members, we will increase the number of external members to ensure a thorough evaluation of the investigation," adding, "We are receiving recommendations from experts related to law and medicine who can monitor the police investigation."

The Death Review Committee was introduced in March 2019. According to the Death Investigation Handling Regulations, the police chief may convene the Death Review Committee to deliberate on case closure or the need for additional investigation in cases where the identity of the deceased is unknown, when the bereaved family raises objections to the investigation results, or in other cases deemed necessary by the police chief.

The Death Review Committee consists of one chairperson and three to four internal members, along with one to two external members. The chairperson is responsible for the death investigation and is usually a division chief. Internal members are appointed by the police chief from among the section chiefs of the investigative department of the police station. External members are appointed by the police chief from experts such as forensic scientists and lawyers who specialize in death investigations. The committee convenes with a majority of members present and decisions are made by a majority vote of those present. The results must be reported to the city or provincial police chief within three days after the committee meeting. If the bereaved family raises objections, the chairperson must immediately explain the results to them after the review. If a decision for reinvestigation is made, additional investigation must be conducted within one month, followed by a request for re-review by the city or provincial police Death Review Committee.

According to the police, the Death Review Committee has been convened three times in the past three years: at Nowon Police Station and Yeongdeungpo Police Station in 2019, and at Gwangjin Police Station this year. All three cases concluded with the decision to close the investigation.

Meanwhile, the police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Son’s death. Along with detailed analysis of CCTV footage and tip videos, they are conducting searches for Son’s missing shoes and other items. Experts are also being consulted on the investigations conducted so far, including CCTV and soil analysis. Additionally, the police have received five complaints related to unfounded rumors circulating online and have launched investigations into them.

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