ID :
52898
Mon, 03/30/2009 - 16:14
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/52898
The shortlink copeid
Police to summon journalists over suicide of actress
By Shin Hae-in
SEOUL, March 30 (Yonhap) -- Police investigating the suicide of late actress Jang
Ja-yeon said Monday they will summon journalists to question them over a letter
left behind by the actress that suggest she was forced to provide sexual favors
by her former agent.
Jang, 30, hanged herself at her house in Bundang south of Seoul on March 7. The
case took an unexpected turn a few days later when the contents of the lengthy
letter Jang is believed to have written was made public by local broadcaster KBS.
In the letter, Jang said her former agent had forced her to provide sexual favors
to several high-powered entertainment figures and journalists, bringing to
surface widespread rumors of abuse of young and emerging actresses.
Police launched an investigation several days after the contents of the letter
was broadcast. KBS has refused to disclose how it got hold of the letter.
The five journalists facing questioning said they may reject the summons,
accusing the investigators of trying to "take advantage" of the press.
"Police launched the probe only after our report was aired. They tried so hard to
turn it into a simple suicide case," a KBS reporter said, requesting anonymity.
"Now they want to question us, when they should really be focusing on those who
are accused of pressuring Jang to provide sexual favors."
Two KBS journalists have been sued for defamation by Jang's family, who were
reluctant to reveal the actress' story.
Police said they will also summon Jang's former manager Yoo Jang-ho and several
people listed in Jang's letter this week for questioning. They are currently
looking into Jang's e-mails and phone call records for more evidence.
It is not the first time suspicions over the abuse of female actresses have been
raised in South Korea's local entertainment industry.
In January, cloning of top actress Jeon Ji-hyeon's mobile phone by her agent
triggered renewed debate on the boundaries between an entertainer's right to
privacy and commercial interests.
hayney@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, March 30 (Yonhap) -- Police investigating the suicide of late actress Jang
Ja-yeon said Monday they will summon journalists to question them over a letter
left behind by the actress that suggest she was forced to provide sexual favors
by her former agent.
Jang, 30, hanged herself at her house in Bundang south of Seoul on March 7. The
case took an unexpected turn a few days later when the contents of the lengthy
letter Jang is believed to have written was made public by local broadcaster KBS.
In the letter, Jang said her former agent had forced her to provide sexual favors
to several high-powered entertainment figures and journalists, bringing to
surface widespread rumors of abuse of young and emerging actresses.
Police launched an investigation several days after the contents of the letter
was broadcast. KBS has refused to disclose how it got hold of the letter.
The five journalists facing questioning said they may reject the summons,
accusing the investigators of trying to "take advantage" of the press.
"Police launched the probe only after our report was aired. They tried so hard to
turn it into a simple suicide case," a KBS reporter said, requesting anonymity.
"Now they want to question us, when they should really be focusing on those who
are accused of pressuring Jang to provide sexual favors."
Two KBS journalists have been sued for defamation by Jang's family, who were
reluctant to reveal the actress' story.
Police said they will also summon Jang's former manager Yoo Jang-ho and several
people listed in Jang's letter this week for questioning. They are currently
looking into Jang's e-mails and phone call records for more evidence.
It is not the first time suspicions over the abuse of female actresses have been
raised in South Korea's local entertainment industry.
In January, cloning of top actress Jeon Ji-hyeon's mobile phone by her agent
triggered renewed debate on the boundaries between an entertainer's right to
privacy and commercial interests.
hayney@yna.co.kr
(END)
