Hangang Park Late Son Jeongmin Memorial Space... 6 Months of 'Unauthorized Occupation'

On the 4th, the memorial space for the late Son Jeong-min at Banpo Hangang Park in Seoul

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] It has been confirmed that the memorial space for the late Son Jeong-min, set up at Hangang Park, is an illegal facility without proper authorization.

According to a compilation of Asia Economy's coverage on the 5th, the memorial space located near the water taxi dock at Banpo Hangang Park in Seoul has been occupying land within the river since around May of this year. The memorial space contains items such as flowers, photos, frames, and dolls, along with notes mourning Son’s death. Gatherings demanding a thorough investigation of the incident have also been held there, and visitors continue to come to pay their respects.

However, the memorial space violates the River Act. Article 33 of the relevant law stipulates that any land occupation or similar activities within the river area require permission from the river management authority. In the case of the Hangang River, permission must be obtained from the Mayor of Seoul, who is delegated by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, but the Son memorial space did not receive such authorization. The Hangang Project Headquarters of Seoul City has stated that if voluntary removal does not occur, demolition will be inevitable. It is also reported that complaints requesting the removal of the memorial space continue to be received.

However, the timing of the demolition has not yet been decided. Since the Son case still attracts public interest, there may be opposition to the removal. Citizens voluntarily set up the space, and there is no organization or party demanding its removal. A representative from the Hangang Project Headquarters explained, "Once the demolition timing is decided, we plan to install banners and provide a period for voluntary collection of items before proceeding with the removal."

Meanwhile, the case in which Son’s family filed a complaint on June 23 against friend A, who drank with Son before his disappearance, on charges including assault resulting in death and abandonment resulting in death, is currently under prosecution review. The police held a review committee on the unnatural death case and decided to close the investigation. Additionally, after a four-month investigation into the complaint filed by the family against A, the police judged there was insufficient evidence and decided not to forward the case to prosecution. When the police decided not to prosecute, Son’s family filed an objection. Although the police can close the case with the non-prosecution decision, if the complainant raises an objection, the case must be forwarded to the prosecution. The prosecution may request a reinvestigation from the police according to relevant laws and regulations.

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