Final Hike in Supporter's Uniform... Outpouring of Condolences from Samsung Lions and Fans

Found Dead Two Days After Going Missing in Juwangsan

Samsung Lions: "Our Heartfelt Sympathy to the Bereaved Family"

After an elementary school student who was a fan of the professional baseball team Samsung Lions was found dead two days after going missing in Juwangsan National Park, Cheongsong, North Gyeongsang Province, a wave of tributes has poured in from both the team and its fans.

On the 12th, Samsung Lions posted on its official social media, stating, "We send our deepest condolences to the deceased," and added, "We are deeply saddened and heartbroken by this sudden tragic news." The statement continued, "We sincerely offer our heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family who has lost their precious child."

The deceased, referred to as student A, went missing on May 10 while visiting a temple inside Juwangsan National Park with his parents. At the time, student A was reportedly wearing a Samsung Lions player Lee Jaehyeon’s uniform top and cap. He was also dressed in blue jeans and blue shoes, prompting many posts in Samsung fan communities and on social media wishing for his safe return immediately after he went missing.

However, upon the news that student A had been found dead, fans could not hide their grief. Messages of condolence were posted in online communities and on social media, expressing sentiments such as, "It breaks my heart to think of a child who went out wearing a Samsung uniform," and "We will remember the young fan who supported our team wherever he went." Some fan accounts posted images of chrysanthemums along with messages praying for the student's repose, and condolences continued through comments as well.

According to police and fire authorities, on May 10 around noon, student A told his parents near Giamgyo Bridge that he would "just climb a little up the mountain" before heading alone in the direction of Jubong Peak. At that time, student A did not have a mobile phone with him. When he did not return, his parents reported him missing to emergency services at 5:53 p.m. the same day.

Authorities mobilized police, firefighters, national park officials, helicopters, drones, and search dogs in the search operation. At around 10:13 a.m. on May 12, two days after he went missing, student A was found dead approximately 100 meters in the direction of Yongyeon Falls near Jubong Peak. The location was a densely vegetated mountain slope, off the official hiking trail. Police suspect that student A may have slipped and suffered an accident while hiking alone, and are investigating the exact circumstances of his disappearance and death.