Police Hold Autopsy Review Committee on Son Jeong-min Case... "Decision to Close Internal Investigation"

8 Internal and External Committee Members Attend
External Members Increased to 4
Chairman Held by Police Chief

Investigation of Friend A's Complaint Case
Continued Verification of Son Jeong-min's Actions Before Death

[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, have held a "Death Investigation Review Committee" and decided to close the internal investigation.

On the 29th, the Seocho Police Station in Seoul held the Death Investigation Review Committee and stated, "Based on the investigation details so far, closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, expert opinions, and other materials, a total of eight internal and external committee members comprehensively reviewed the necessity for additional investigation and whether to close the death case, ultimately deciding to close the case."

They added, "We have been explaining the investigation details to the bereaved family in as much detail as possible within the scope allowed," and "In response to the family's request to view the CCTV footage, we allowed them to view the secured footage for a total of about 6 hours and 30 minutes over two sessions on the 27th of last month and the 21st of this month, and immediately after the committee meeting, we personally explained the results of the Death Investigation Review Committee."

While the police are closing the investigation into the death case, they will continue to investigate the case filed by Son’s family on the 23rd, accusing friend A of assault leading to death and abandonment leading to death. A police official said, "One violent crimes team will continue to verify Son’s final whereabouts before his death and check for additional evidence, and one criminal investigation team will proceed with the investigation of the family’s accusation according to procedures."

According to the Police Agency’s Death Case Handling Regulations, the police chief may convene a Death Investigation Review Committee to review whether to close the case or conduct 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 where the police chief deems review necessary.

Considering public interest, the police added external members to this Death Investigation Review Committee, elevated the chairperson to the police chief, and selected additional external members. A police official said, "The number of external members increased from 1-2 to 4, and internal members were elevated from superintendent rank to senior superintendent rank," adding, "External members were recommended by external organizations with representativeness in the relevant fields and consist of experts such as two professors and two lawyers."

The Death Investigation Review Committee is composed of one chairperson, 3 to 4 internal members, and 1 to 2 external members. The chairperson is responsible for the death case and is usually the head of the criminal division. Internal members are section chiefs of investigative departments within the police station appointed by the police chief. External members are specialists in death cases such as forensic scientists and lawyers appointed by the police chief.

The committee convenes with a majority of members present and passes resolutions by majority vote of attending members. The results must be reported to the city or provincial police chief within three days after the meeting. If the bereaved family raises objections, the chairperson must immediately explain the results to the family after the review. If a decision is made to reinvestigate, additional investigation must be conducted within one month, and a re-review must be requested from the city or provincial police Death Investigation Review Committee.

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