It’s Obvious to Everyone, and the Law Looks the Other Way
Usually, the Seoul Gyopo Guide believes that Koreans believe too strongly that there is a conspiracy, or hidden story, behind events. That is, admittedly, a foreigner’s point of view. However, there is sometimes a case when a non-native Korean will see a case, and it is obvious that a cover-up has occurred. As a result, it is then somewhat understandable that there are conspiracy theories that run amok. One case: the circumstances surrounding the suicide of actress Jang Ja-Yeon.

The Internet Needs to Be Mobilized For Good Causes
There is a lot of junk on the internet (Some may say that the Seoul Gyopo Guide is a perfect example of that). In addition, there is also the notion that blogs about Korea written by non-natives are solely to complain about Korea. In this particular case, the Seoul Gyopo Guide urges all English blogs written about Korea continue to continuously report on this particular topic until a full, proper investigation of all the facts are revealed and prosecuted to the fullest. The press in Korea must do its part in full reporting of all the facts, as sordid as they may be. Skeptics may believe that this is going to be a waste of time. Nothing could be further from the truth. If pressure does not come from within Korea, then the attention can be generated from outside Korea. It is, oddly, a very opportune time for generating attention to these facts, because K-POP is in ascension, and attracting more global attention everyday. Ms Jang’s agent served one year in jail. He basically committed a sophisticated form of human trafficking. None of those that took advantage of the situation has been punished in the least. It is HIGHLY doubtful that this is an isolated case.

The Written Law Protects the Innocent, But There Are Other Laws
It is very interesting that hoards of people crowd the doors of coffee shops where Hallyu stars drink a cup of coffee. However, there is not a single picture of the people who have gone in and out of a police station for questioning on this matter. So either, there was no questioning, or pictures were not allowed. How is this possible? Perhaps it is due to Korea’s strict internet laws. Here is a suggestion: send your picture to me, and it will be posted it on this site. There will be no slander, i.e. accusations which proclaim guilt. There will be simple statements, such as “Mr AAA was questioned by authorities in the matter of Jang Ja-Yeon’s suicide.” Perhaps you would suggest that this person has rights. Those rights are defended by the law, and they will not be violated. However, the release of the fact that the person may have been questioned isn’t breaking any law, and the Seoul Gyopo Guide will not claim the person to be guilty or innocent. It is an oddity that Korea, where individual rights are not well-developed, is that even the identity of a “person of interest” is kept secret in order to protect the “rights” of the witness.

Next Steps
The police needs to be scrutinized to the very end. Their methods, and the investigation must be put under INTENSE public scrutiny. Korea doesn’t like scrutiny unless it is clear that it will be exonerated. So, the suspicion of the police will be erased by full public disclosure of exactly what they have done when investigating this matter. The newspapers suggest that they are looking into the authenticity of the letters written by Ms Jang. The police should reveal exactly who was employed as a handwriting expert, in addition to revealing all other data used to conclude whether or not the letters were written by Ms Jang. If they were not written by Ms Jang and the police concludes this, that is fine, as long as police reveals how this conclusion was reached. Unless questions about these methods are answered, from inside Korea and from abroad, the police and the accused will not receive the scrutiny they deserve. In the memory of Ms Jang, and in the interest of all Hallyu entertainers, let’s hope this is not the case, and the cries for help in the letters, if authentic, are not in vain.