Teenage Boy Dies After Police Search; Family Files Lawsuit Against Police and State

Investigators Visit Home... During Search Say, "This Is Extremely Wrong"


Family Claims "Instilled Severe Fear... Psychological Pressure Led to Death"

A teenage boy who was accused of exchanging body photos with a female student was subjected to a police search and later died. His family has filed a lawsuit against the police and the state, claiming that coercive questioning by police led to his death.

According to the legal community on August 5, the family of the boy, identified as “A,” filed a claim for 300 million won in damages against the state and two police officers from the Songpa Police Station in June. A was alleged to have exchanged certain videos of his body with a minor female student via Instagram direct messages (DM). The female student's father, upon learning of this, filed a complaint in April of last year, accusing A of violating the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles from Sexual Abuse.

On July 13 of that year, at approximately 9:42 a.m., five investigators from Songpa Police Station visited A’s home and conducted a search and seizure of his mobile phone, laptop, and other devices. At the time, A’s parents were not at home; only minor A and his older sister, who had just reached adulthood, were present. Both siblings had just woken up.

According to the family's legal representative, an investigator questioned A before the parents arrived, asking, “Do you remember anything?” Without informing him of his right to remain silent, the investigator also said, “You didn't exactly expect us to come, but you knew, right? This is a very serious mistake.” The investigator further questioned, “Is it because your wrongdoing is so severe that you don’t remember?” and “It's not just one offense, is it?” A passed away later that day at around 9:20 p.m.

The family’s attorney claimed, “Even before the official investigation began, and in the absence of his legal guardians, the police unilaterally asserted A’s guilt to a minor without informing him of his right to remain silent.” The attorney argued that “this directly violates due process and the police’s obligation to protect minors.” He further pointed out, “Such statements were more than enough to instill extreme fear and guilt in A.”

He added, “A arranged the DM conversations related to the complaint prior to his death,” stating that “the psychological pressure from the investigation directly contributed to his passing.” He continued, “Considering the circumstances of the investigation and A’s responses, the causal link between the unlawful conduct of police and the outcome—the death—is evident,” and therefore demanded compensation.

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