Incheon Shooting Incident, Excessive 'Doxxing'... Bereaved Families Cry 'Twice'

[Financial News] Concerns about secondary harm are growing as the 'doxxing' of the victims and bereaved families of the homemade gun murder case in Songdo, Incheon, goes too far. Experts advise that a victim-centered approach is crucial. They also warned that indiscriminate disclosure of personal information could constitute defamation.
On the 23rd, names and photos of the victim A (33) and bereaved families are spreading on social network services (SNS) and online communities. The fact that the victim's mother, the ex-wife of Cho (62), who is accused of murdering his son, is the CEO of a famous skincare company has already been shared across the internet. The company issued a statement on the 22nd, pleading, "The executive, who is also a bereaved family member, earnestly hopes that no further social turmoil or third-party damage related to this incident will occur."
The atmosphere of concluding the motive for the murder as family discord continues, but there is no clear basis. An official from the Incheon Yeonsu Police Station stated, "The suspect testified to 'family discord,' but nothing specific has been revealed, and the suspect is refusing detailed statements."
The bereaved families complained of secondary damage. B, the victim's wife, released a statement the day before, saying, "The claim that the suspect committed this crime due to 'family discord caused by divorce' is completely unfounded," and "We earnestly request that further speculative reports that distort the unjust death of the victim be refrained from."
They also emphasized that if the suspect's face is disclosed, secondary damage is inevitable, and personal information disclosure should never occur. The police are also reportedly cautious about disclosing personal information, fearing damage to the deceased's honor. In fact, since 2010, there has been only one case of personal information disclosure in cases of parricide or filicide.
Doxxing of the victim and bereaved families is likely to constitute defamation. Under the Information and Communications Network Act, defamation is punishable by up to seven years in prison. Kim Jae-yoon, a professor at Konkuk University Law School, explained, "The Supreme Court's precedent is to examine which is greater when the act of sharing information mixes public interest and the purpose of slander," and "If the purpose of slander is widely recognized, a guilty verdict for defamation under the Information and Communications Network Act can be rendered."
There are also opinions that investigative agencies should actively intervene. The intention is that indiscriminate doxxing and rumors have arisen as public curiosity about the case remains unresolved.
Bae Sang-hoon, a professor of police administration at Woosuk University and a former profiler, analyzed, "If the police conduct a swift and accurate investigation and announce the details related to the case, the focus of attention may not turn to the bereaved families."
Previously, the Incheon Yeonsu Police Station arrested Cho the day before on charges of murder, violation of the Act on the Control of Firearms, Swords, and Explosives, violation of the Explosives Control Act, and preparation for arson of an inhabited building. He did not attend the pre-arrest interrogation (warrant review). jyseo@fnnews.com Seo Ji-yoon Reporter