#MeToo-hit actor Jo Min-ki found dead in apparent suicide

Jo Min-gi

By Park Si-soo

Veteran actor Jo Min-gi was found dead at an underground parking lot in Seoul in an apparent suicide, police said Friday.

The tragedy took place three days ahead of his planned appearance at a police station to be questioned over #MeToo claims raised against him.

Jo was one of the high-profile figures embroiled in a brewing sexual misconduct scandal, in which he was said to have sexually harassed female students he taught at Cheongju University.

Police said Jo's wife found his body at around 4 p.m. The exact cause of his death was not known immediately. It's also not known if he left a note.

The first #MeToo accusation against him was raised in mid-February, to which Jo played it down as "rumors." But as more alleged victims came forward, some with undeniable evidence such as "lewd" text messages he sent, he admitted to his misconduct, apologized and then promised to cooperate with police.

Jo dropped out of a TV role early this month and his agency terminated its contract with him.

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