[Sportschosun, Reporter Jo Min-jung] The family of a woman in her 20s who died after falling from an officetel in Busan has claimed that the alleged perpetrator’s older sister is an actor currently appearing in a KBS drama, sparking controversy. The family has demanded that the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS), a public broadcaster, disclose whether it knew about the matter and take responsible action.
On the 3rd, a post titled "We are the family of the victim in the Busan officetel fall-death case" was uploaded to the KBS viewer petition board. The petitioner identified herself as the mother of the deceased woman and appealed, "My daughter suffered from the perpetrator’s relentless stalking before meeting an unjust death." She continued, "The perpetrator’s family, who took my daughter away from us, is still living a peaceful daily life," and claimed, "In particular, the perpetrator’s older sister is currently appearing in a substantial role in KBS’s evening daily drama and receiving widespread affection from viewers."
The petitioner lamented, "Our family’s daughter was unjustly killed, while the perpetrator’s family member’s daughter is thriving as an actor," adding, "Every time I face that image, my heart breaks with guilt that I could not protect my daughter." She urged KBS, "Please state your position on whether you knew about these facts," and called for "a responsible response as a public broadcaster."
This is not the first time the victim’s family has mentioned the perpetrator’s sister, who is an actor. In 2024, the year of the incident, the family made claims through an online community to the effect that "the victim’s family is living in despair, while the perpetrator’s sister is continuing her daily life by filming a drama." The issue has resurfaced through the KBS viewer petition.
The incident occurred in January 2024 on the ninth floor of an officetel in Busan. A woman in her 20s, identified as B, fell from a window and died while arguing with her former boyfriend, A. The investigation revealed that A had repeatedly threatened and stalked B after she asked to end their relationship. A was accused of knocking on the entrance door of B’s home for approximately 17 hours, sending 365 messages, breaking wine glasses, and throwing chairs while threatening her.
A was indicted on charges including aggravated threats, threats, property damage, refusal to leave, and violating the Act on the Punishment of Stalking Crimes. The trial court sentenced him to three years and six months in prison and ordered him to complete 40 hours of a stalking treatment program. On appeal, his sentence was reduced to three years and two months after the court took into account, among other factors, his efforts to help restore the victim’s damages.
However, the trial found A guilty only of stalking and threatening B; it did not determine direct criminal responsibility for B’s death. The victim’s family has argued that A should also face charges of aiding suicide, citing the fact that B had been hanging onto the window frame immediately before her fall. Police decided not to refer the charge to prosecutors, but after the family filed an objection, prosecutors took over the case and investigated it.
Reporter Jo Min-jung mj.cho@sportschosun.com
This article has been translated by GripLabs Mingo AI.
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