Composite sketch of suspect in Goo Ha-ra's safe robbery released
A composite sketch of the suspect who broke into late Goo Ha-ra's home has been released. Captured from SBS
A composite sketch of the suspect who robbed the safe at the home of the late Goo Ha-ra of the girl group KARA has been released, drawing keen public attention.
On Saturday's episode of SBS' "Unanswered Questions," a sketch of the suspect involved in the "Goo Ha-ra Safe Robbery" case was revealed.
Goo died on Nov. 24, 2019. Shortly after, around midnight on Jan. 14, 2020, a man broke into her residence in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul, and stole a safe containing her mobile phones and other valuables.
Despite the family's report, police were unable to identify the suspect at the time. It was reported that the suspect climbed a wall and entered the house through the second-floor balcony. Security camera footage of the intrusion was also released to the media.
After approximately nine months of investigation, the case was temporarily closed.
However, recent revelations from a BBC News Korea documentary, "Burning Sun: Exposing the Secret K-pop Chat Groups," brought the case back into the spotlight.
The documentary disclosed that Goo had played a covert role in exposing alleged corruption involving the police and the Burning Sun nightclub, a venue in Gangnam District, Seoul, that was the center of a scandal involving crimes such as sexual offenses and illegal filming.
"Unanswered Questions" used enhanced images and expert consultations to create a composite sketch of the suspect from the security camera footage. The suspect was wearing an earring in his left ear, appeared to be in his late twenties to early thirties and was wearing glasses for nearsightedness.
According to the released composite sketch, the suspect has a slim face and a high nose and is estimated to be in the high 170-centimeter range in height.
A renowned sketch artist said, "He has a long chin and slightly protruding cheekbones."
Initially, it was suspected that the thief was someone known to Goo.
However, the "Unanswered Questions" suggested that the crime could have been commissioned by a professional contractor or an errand center employee who was given the code to her house.
An expert who analyzed the footage said that while the suspect knew the code, he seemed unfamiliar with how to use the door lock.
Pyo Chang-won, director of the Pyo Institute of Crime Science, said, "It appears to be someone who expected the door to open. He either knew the code or received it from someone else but failed to operate the door lock, which led him to enter through the second floor."
The late Goo Ha-ra / Korea Times file
It was reported that Goo's family currently possesses the mobile phones that were in the safe.
Goo's brother, Goo Ho-in, said on the show that the safe contained letters, contracts, financial statements from her agency, the house's deed and about six mobile phones.
However, he also noted that they have yet to unlock Goo's mobile phones.
There are suspicions that the safe robbery might be connected to the Burning Sun scandal. At the time, the thief did not touch any valuable items and only stole the 31-kilogram safe.
Goo left message, 'I'm scared...'
Meanwhile, it was confirmed that Goo left a post saying "I'm scared" on a secret account before her death.
On Nov. 23, 2019, after returning to Korea for a brief period following activities in Japan, Goo posted a simple "Good night" message on her official social media. However, just a few hours later, she posted "I'm scared..." on a secret account known only to close friends.
Her friends responded with comforting messages such as "I'm here. Your reliable and strong sister," and "Why are you scared, silly? I'm always on your side. Think of us."
Shortly after, news of Goo's death broke. At the scene, a simple note was found, but no formal suicide note was discovered.
Members of civic groups hold a press conference in front of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency headquarters in Jongno District, Seoul, on May 16, 2019, condemning the results of the Burning Sun investigation and calling for the resignation of those responsible. Korea Times photo by Hong Yoon-kee
This article, based on a piece from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, was assisted by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.