"Culprit's Sister Smiles on TV": Bereaved Family of 'Busan Officetel Fall Death' Victim Demands Stance from KBS

The bereaved family of a woman in her 20s who died after falling from a Busan officetel while arguing with her ex-boyfriend has urged KBS to take a responsible stance, pointing out the broadcaster's casting of the perpetrator's family member through its viewer petition board.

The bereaved family posted a petition titled "We are the bereaved family of the Busan officetel fall death victim" on the KBS viewer petition board on September 3.

The family cried out, "Having unfairly lost our beloved daughter, time stopped for us on that day," adding, "We endure each day in agony, spending every night in tears and feeling a sense of guilt even for staying alive."

In particular, the family expressed extreme distress over the fact that the perpetrator's family continues to enjoy peaceful daily lives. The petitioner stated, "The family of the perpetrator who took our daughter away is still living a peaceful life. Notably, the perpetrator's sister is currently starring in a prominent role in a KBS evening daily drama, laughing and crying on TV as an actor," and vented, "Our daughter died an unfair death, yet the daughter of the perpetrator's family is thriving as an actor. How can the world be so unfair?"

They continued, "It is so agonizing that on one side, parents who lost their beloved daughter are collapsing every day, while on the other side, daily life goes on as if nothing happened," and demanded of KBS, "Clarify whether you were aware of this fact and take a responsible response as a public broadcasting network."

As news of the bereaved family's petition spread, mixed reactions have continued among netizens.

Some netizens raised voices of support and encouragement for the bereaved family, saying, "I deeply empathize with the pain and heartache of losing a child," and "Imagine how desolate and furious the victim's family must feel." On the other hand, some raised cautious arguments, stating, "No matter how much of a criminal the family member is, holding an adult sister accountable is a modern-day form of guilt by association," and "We must be wary of restricting or criticizing the entertainment activities of family members rather than the perpetrator."

Meanwhile, the incident took place in January 2024 on the 9th floor of an officetel in Busan. The victim fell to her death while arguing with her ex-boyfriend, identified as A, and police investigations revealed circumstances of continuous stalking, assault, and threats by A.

A was sent to trial on charges including violation of the Stalking Punishment Act and making threats, and was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison in the first trial and 3 years and 2 months in prison in the second trial. The bereaved family had argued for the application of charges of abetting suicide, noting that the victim was hanging from the window frame at the time of her death, but those charges were not reflected in the trial process.

[Photo: Captured from KBS bulletin board]

Reported by Kang Sun-ae | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.