SBS'Unanswered Questions' (hereinafter Unanswered Questions) tracked the full story of the killing of a 17-year-old boy in Busan, bringing shock and sorrow.
The Jan. 13 episode of Unanswered Questions, titled "7-hour murder scenario — who killed the 17-year-old boy," shed light on the horrific abuse that drove the victim, Yeojun (alias), to death.
"My son is not breathing"…the caller who was also the perpetrator, the biological mother
In the early morning of Jan., the person who called to report that her son was not breathing was none other than the biological mother, Ms. A. However, rescuers who arrived at the scene found Yeojun being carried out unconscious. His entire body was covered with bruises and abrasions, and he died shortly after being transported to the hospital.
The autopsy findings were truly harrowing. As the doctor testified that "his whole body was darkly mottled, and countless bruises and scratches remained," the seven hours of corporal punishment amounted to near-torture.
The shadow of Mr. Hong, the neighbor who was an absolute figure
At the center of the case was the strange relationship between the biological mother, Ms. A, and neighbor Mr. Hong. The two had been close for about 16 years and raised their children together, and Hong gradually forced "corporal punishment" and psychologically dominated Ms. A. It was revealed that Hong sent messages to Ms. A such as "His nature is really bad. Shut his mouth and tie him up. You have to beat him almost to death," shocking viewers. Experts analyzed this as "a case in which a dominant personality and a dependent personality combined to form a deadly mix."
Ms. A followed Mr. Hong's instructions and brutally assaulted her son. She tied his hands and feet, taped his mouth shut, and switched tools to continue beating him for seven hours, and even poured hot water on him, committing torture that is hard to imagine.
"You must suppress his bad nature"…the result of gaslighting
Mr. Hong framed Yeojun as "a delinquent who lies well" and constantly pressured Ms. A. In fact, Yeojun was a model student who had been recommended for a scholarship at school, but Ms. A, subordinated to Hong's words, did not stop the violence against her son.
Experts mentioned "shared psychosis," noting that "in an isolated situation, Hong's delusional system infected Ms. A, leading her to abnormal thinking."
A relationship that even sucked up money
It was revealed that Ms. A borrowed money from her birth family and gave Mr. Hong 5 million won each month. Hong profited not only from child abuse but also financially.
The tragic end and the family left behind
In the end, Yeojun died after being jointly abused by his biological mother and the neighbor, and concerns were raised about the urgent need to protect and support the younger sister left alone. Legal experts said it would be difficult for Mr. Hong to avoid criminal charges as a co-principal. However, because the biological mother directly drove her son to death, they predicted that "being gaslit will not significantly affect the sentence."
The broadcast expressed sorrow, saying, "The child had already been dying for a long time. If society had recognized the signs of abuse earlier, the tragedy might have been prevented."
[Photo] SBS
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