A crime suspect's social media account has become a platform for online support of the crime and secondary victimization of the victim, prompting calls for systematic management of such accounts.
In the wake of a drug murder case involving a 20-year-old female suspect in Seoul's Gangbuk District, her social media account has sparked controversy as it promotes support for her alleged crime and leads to secondary victimization of the victims. The North Seoul District Prosecutor's Office, which is investigating the case, recently switched the suspect's account to private after noticing a staggering increase in followers following the crime—about 45 times increase—which was accompanied by offensive comments regarding the victims. Prosecutors stated they acted to protect the victims and obtain consent from the suspect before making the account private. The suspect allegedly claimed ignorance about the online activity surrounding her account.
Furthermore, the unchecked dissemination of personal information through social media has become a troubling trend, where individuals, rather than institutions, publicly share the identities of suspects and their associates under the guise of private retribution. This practice tends to focus more on sensationalized virtual engagement rather than promoting justice or victim recovery, causing concern among professionals. A media communication scholar remarked that the dissemination of identifying information primarily serves as a means of harassment rather than fostering constructive dialogue on the issues.
This deteriorating climate leads to instances where support for the crime and secondary victimization of the victims, much like the current case, proliferate. In a prior case where a medical student brutally murdered his girlfriend, public sentiment leaned towards defending the suspect due to his prestigious background, while the details about the victim were recklessly circulated online, causing further outrage. A lawyer representing the victim's family in the current drug murder case has urged the prosecution to officially disclose the suspect's personal information as well, highlighting the ongoing challenges in balancing victim care and the public's right to information.
