Author: Liu Cong
In the early hours of July 10th local time, the body of Park Mayor of Seoul, South Korea, was found in the area of Beiyue Mountain in Seoul. The death of the three-term Seoul "old mayor" shocked the South Korean political circle. As of now, the cause of his death has not been revealed.
In recent years, many politicians in South Korea have chosen to end their lives in extreme ways. Is this a "magic" that the South Korean political circle cannot escape?
The late Seoul Mayor Park Yuanchun's suicide note was made public. Source: Screenshot from South Korea’s JTBC TV report
70-word suicide note exposed, apologizing to everyone
On the morning of the 10th local time, Park Yuanchun’s suicide note was made public. From the content of only about 70 words, in addition to apologizing, thanking, and saying goodbye, no other information can be seen.
Park Yuan-chun wrote in his suicide note, "Apologize to everyone and thank everyone who has spent my life together." "I am very sorry for the family who has only given pain." Sprinkle on the parents' graveyard."
In the last line of the suicide note, he wrote, "Everyone, goodbye."
On June 5, 2014 local time, Seoul, South Korea, Park Won-sun won the election and was re-elected.
End the term early with a sudden tragedy
When the police found Park Yuanchun’s body, it had been more than 10 hours since he left his home with his suicide note.
"Father left home after leaving words similar to the last words, and the phone was turned off." On the afternoon of the 9th local time, Park Yuanchun's daughter reported to the police that his father had disappeared. The police then dispatched 2 squadrons, drones, police dogs, etc. to find his whereabouts.
According to the survey, Park Yuan Chun left the mayor's mansion located in Jonglu District, Seoul, at more than 10 am that day. The location where the mobile phone signal finally appeared was near the Kichijoji Temple in Seongbuk-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, and the area around Wolong Park. The police then conducted a concentrated search around this area. After two rounds of searching, Park Yuanchun’s body was finally found near Sujingmen.
Park Won Chun was born in Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea in 1956. He was the re-elected “old mayor” of Seoul for three consecutive terms. If there is no such accident, by the end of the term in 2022, his tenure will be as long as 11 years and 8 months, which translates to 3900 days.
Guessing constantly, what "killed" him?
Why did Park Won-sun, who published the blueprint for the "Green Policy of Seoul" environmental protection policy the day before, suddenly choose to leave his suicide note and leave home the next day? Various speculations continue to emerge.
Guess one: commit suicide in fear of crime?
Korea International Radio and other Korean media reported that police related information revealed that on the evening of the 8th, Park Yuanchun’s former secretary A and his lawyer went to the Seoul Local Police Office to file a lawsuit and were under investigation until the early hours of the 9th. .
A self-reported, since serving as secretary in 2017, has been sexually harassed by Park Yuan Chun. Park Yuanchun also sent personal photos to him many times, and A has submitted the content of the conversation as evidence.
At present, because Park Yuanchun has died, the investigation on the suspected sexual harassment case has been suspended. The police will transfer the case to the prosecution and recommend that the prosecution close the case without the right to prosecute.
Guess two: too much pressure?
During the disappearance of Park Won Chun, the South Korean police and the city of Seoul have stated that Park Won Chun has recently been under heavy work and tremendous pressure due to real estate countermeasures and other issues, and may therefore turn off the phone and calm down. But because Park Yuan-chun left home after leaving similar words, he did not rule out the possibility of making extreme choices.
In the early hours of July 10, 2020 local time, Seoul Mayor Park Yuan Chun was found dead after being missing for more than ten hours.
No abnormal signs, Park Yuanchun’s death shocked the political arena
After the disappearance of Park Won-chun, a person from Qingwatai said, "This is completely unanticipated. It is difficult to say anything because I don't know the exact news." Although Qingwatai did not hold a special meeting on this, it was highly vigilant about the progress of the police search. Anxious to grasp the situation.
South Korea's "East Asia Daily" quoted the core parties of the Common Democratic Party as saying that the party did not anticipate Park Yuanchun's "abnormal signs", and those who were usually close to Park Yuanchun did not know the exact situation.
A Democrat MP who has a close relationship with Park Yuan-chun said: "Park Yuan-chun's self-esteem and sense of mission are stronger than anyone's. He suddenly disappeared and is unbelievable."
Zhu Haoying, representative of the South Korean Future Integration Party, said on the 10th that he deeply regrets Park Yuanchun’s tragic choice and expresses his deep condolences to the survivors who have fallen into great grief.
The extreme way to end life, the curse of Korean politics?
Although the cause of Park Yuanchun’s death is still inconclusive, it is speculated that there is a high probability of suicide. This also made everyone pay attention again. Why do Korean politicians choose to end their lives in extreme ways?
In July 2019, Zheng Douyan, a former member of parliament in South Korea, failed to overcome the long-term depression. He left his suicide note and ran away from home. His body was found near Bukhansan Mountain.
In July 2018, Lu Huican, the representative of the Korean Justice Party, was suspected of receiving illegal political funds and made an extreme choice.
In April 2015, South Korea’s new National Party member Cheng Wanzhong was found dead near Bukhansan. He was suspected of corruption under the Li Mingbo government under investigation by the prosecutor and absconded and committed suicide on the day the suspect was interrogated.
In May 2009, after the resignation of former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, his family was involved in a corruption scandal and was investigated, leaving a suicide note and jumping off the cliff.
Most of these people have one thing in common, that is, after becoming an object of investigation, they choose to end their lives.
Korean media analysis pointed out that politicians are usually required to have a high morality, and they may face unbearable pressure after being investigated. In addition, during the investigation, they may also feel pressured because their acquaintances or related personnel have to bear a certain burden.
On the other hand, the suicide of politicians may have a greater negative impact on society.
In recent years, while South Korean famous politicians, entertainment figures and other suicides have occurred one after another, South Korea's suicide rate has also increased. The Ministry of Health and Welfare in South Korea speculates that after the celebrity suicide event is reported through the media, it is very likely that the "Witt effect", that is, the suicide imitation effect.
Park Jong-il, a professor in the Department of Mental Health Medicine at Gangwon University in South Korea, said: "Politicians with high social responsibilities are likely to convey unhealthy messages to their families and society, which may have negative learning effects."
More news:
Park Geun-hye's reprimand and sentence for bribery case
On the afternoon of the 10th local time, the Seoul High Court in South Korea sent a sentence for the rejection of the former South Korean President Park Geun-hye’s affair and bribery case, and sentenced him to 20 years’ imprisonment.
Earlier, on May 20, in the final trial of Park Geun-hye’s cronies and the National Intelligence Agency’s bribery case, the South Korean prosecutor demanded that Park Geun-hye be sentenced to 35 years’ imprisonment.