Itaewon Tragedy Victims' Family Impersonators Break Down in Tears Even in Front of Actor Jung Woo-sung

Mr. C, who hosted the meal, not listed among victims, reported
Police: "Gains were minimal, released without detention"

[Asia Economy Reporter Bora Lee] A mother and son who impersonated victims' families of the Itaewon tragedy to receive meals and other benefits were apprehended by the police.

According to the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul on the 15th, a woman in her 50s, Ms. A, and her teenage son, Mr. B, were booked on charges of impersonating victims' families around Samgak Station area in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, and receiving clothing, cash, and meals. Ms. A claimed that her son had died in the tragedy and reportedly received various forms of assistance.

Mr. C, who took pity on them and offered meals, became suspicious when their names were not found on the victim list and reported them to the police. The police took them in for voluntary accompaniment and investigation.

A police official explained, "The mother and son admitted most of the charges. They stated that they did it because they were hungry and had no money." The police added that since the benefits they obtained were not significant, they were initially released to go home.

It is reported that the mother and son also pretended to be bereaved family members and broke down in tears in front of actor Jung Woo-sung, who visited the Itaewon Station memorial space with a refugee organization representative on the 10th. A YouTube video of the scene includes a voice saying to Jung Woo-sung, who was about to leave after the memorial, "They are bereaved family members, please shake hands with them once." Afterwards, Mr. B cried, and Jung Woo-sung held his hand to comfort him.

Meanwhile, on the 16th, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency announced that it has assigned the anti-corruption and public crime investigation unit to investigate the case filed against online media outlets 'Mindeulle' and 'Citizen Media The Tamza,' which disclosed the list of victims of the Itaewon tragedy.

These two media outlets unilaterally released the real names of 155 victims of the Itaewon tragedy on the 14th. Seoul City Council member Jong-bae Lee filed a complaint with the police the previous day, stating, "Releasing the victim list without the consent of the bereaved families is providing personal information to a third party without the consent of the information subject," accusing them of violating the Personal Information Protection Act.

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