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Seoul mayor found dead amid harassment claim, police say Seoul mayor found dead amid harassment claim, police say
(about 1 hour later)
SEOUL — The mayor of South Korea's capital, Seoul, was found dead on Friday after his secretary accused him of sexual harassment earlier in the week, police said. SEOUL — The mayor of South Korea's capital, Seoul, was found dead Friday after his secretary accused him of sexual harassment earlier in the week, police said.
Seoul police official Choi Ik-soo told reporters on Friday that there was no sign of foul play in the death of the mayor, Park Won-soon. His body was found in the hills in northern Seoul early Friday, hours after his daughter reported him missing. Seoul police official Choi Ik-soo told reporters Friday that there was no sign of foul play in the death of the mayor, Park Won-soon. His body was found in the hills in northern Seoul early Friday, hours after his daughter reported him missing.
She told the police that her father left a "will-like message" before leaving home on Thursday, South Korea's semiofficial Yonhap news agency reported, citing an unnamed police source. She told the police that her father left a "will-like message" before leaving home Thursday, South Korea's semiofficial Yonhap News Agency reported, citing an unnamed police source.
Park went missing one day after one of his former secretaries formally accused him of harassing her, according to local media reports. Major South Korean broadcaster SBS reported late Thursday that a woman who worked as Park's secretary since 2017 allegedly suffered from repeated actions of sexual harassment by him. Park went missing one day after one of his former secretaries formally accused him of harassing her, according to local media reports. Major South Korean broadcaster SBS reported late Thursday that a woman who worked as Park's secretary since 2017 said she suffered from repeated actions of sexual harassment by him.
Police official Choi confirmed that a sexual harassment complaint was filed against the mayor on Wednesday, but declined to give further details on the case. Police official Choi confirmed that a sexual harassment complaint was filed against the mayor Wednesday but declined to give further details on the case.
Seoul mayor was outspoken liberal who eyed the presidencySeoul mayor was outspoken liberal who eyed the presidency
Park has been a high-profile supporter of the #MeToo movement in South Korea and, as a lawyer in the 1990s, won one of South Korea's earliest cases on sexual harassment. Park was a high-profile supporter of the #MeToo movement in South Korea and, as a lawyer in the 1990s, won one of South Korea's earliest sexual harassment cases.
Hundreds of police and fire officers, aided by drones and sniffer dogs, searched for hours for the missing mayor in Seoul's hilly Seongbuk neighborhood, where his phone signal was last detected.Hundreds of police and fire officers, aided by drones and sniffer dogs, searched for hours for the missing mayor in Seoul's hilly Seongbuk neighborhood, where his phone signal was last detected.
One of the dogs located Park's body off the hiking trail of Bugak Mountain, and officers confirmed the mayor's identity through his belongings which included business cards and stationaries. One of the dogs located Park's body off a hiking trail on Bugak Mountain, and officers confirmed the mayor's identity through his belongings, which included business cards and stationery.
No suicide note was found at the scene, said police official Choi. He said police are conducting an autopsy to find out the cause of death but refused to give further details on the findings. No suicide note was found at the scene, Choi said. He said police were conducting an autopsy but declined to give further details.
As mayor of Seoul, population 10 million, Park was considered a potential presidential hopeful for the liberals in the 2022 election. The 64-year-old became the capital's first mayor to be elected to a third term in 2018. He most recently won praise for the city's aggressive approach to containing the coronavirus outbreak. As mayor of Seoul, population 10 million, Park was considered a potential presidential hopeful for the liberals in the 2022 election. The 64-year-old in 2018 became the capital's first mayor to be elected to a third term. He most recently won praise for the city's aggressive approach to containing the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Opinion: South Korea shows how a democracy can beat the coronavirusOpinion: South Korea shows how a democracy can beat the coronavirus
Formerly a student activist, Park worked as a human rights lawyer and led influential civic groups before becoming mayor. He has been a vocal critic of social inequality and spoke out against members of the country's conservative elites, including former president Park Geun-hye. As mayor of Seoul, he supported rallies against the former president over a corruption scandal that eventually led to her impeachment. Formerly a student activist, Park worked as a human rights lawyer and led influential civic groups before becoming mayor. He was a vocal critic of social inequality and spoke out against the country's conservative elites, including former president Park Geun-hye. As mayor of Seoul, he supported rallies against the former president over a corruption scandal that eventually led to her impeachment.
Park was a strong advocate for so-called “comfort women,” those who were forced to work in the sex trade during Japan’s occupation of the Korean Peninsula that ended after World War II.Park was a strong advocate for so-called “comfort women,” those who were forced to work in the sex trade during Japan’s occupation of the Korean Peninsula that ended after World War II.
South Korea was still reeling from the apparent suicide of a triathlete, Choi Suk-hyeon, who had reported abuse from her coaching staff. South Korea's government on Monday issued a public apology and called for an investigation into the death.South Korea was still reeling from the apparent suicide of a triathlete, Choi Suk-hyeon, who had reported abuse from her coaching staff. South Korea's government on Monday issued a public apology and called for an investigation into the death.
South Korea’s Moon was once given VIP welcome in Pyongyang. Now he’s mocked.South Korea’s Moon was once given VIP welcome in Pyongyang. Now he’s mocked.
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Baseball returned to South Korea, providing innings for a sports-starved worldBaseball returned to South Korea, providing innings for a sports-starved world