Following the April 26 broadcast of SBS’s investigative program “Unanswered Questions” titled “Gone with the Stone, Returned Alone – The Inje Valley Mystery,” public backlash has erupted against an individual linked to the case.
The episode focused on the 2015 disappearance of Kim Joo-chul at a valley in Inje, Gangwon Province. Kim Joo-chul, who had promised to meet his two sons for Children’s Day, mysteriously vanished after being last captured on CCTV at 6:10 p.m. Later investigation revealed that around 9:12 p.m., Kim Joo-chul’s mobile phone battery was forcibly removed.
According to the broadcast, a defector identified as Lee Cheol-jin (pseudonym), who was with Kim Joo-chul at the time, initially denied meeting him. However, upon confrontation with CCTV evidence, Lee Cheol-jin changed his statement, claiming that Kim Joo-chul told him to leave first while camping by the river. The program highlighted inconsistencies in Lee Cheol-jin’s account and examined various suspicious circumstances surrounding the case.
The show further revealed that Lee Cheol-jin had portrayed himself as an “elite North Korean operative” and had allegedly promised Kim Joo-chul opportunities to operate funeral businesses, during which Kim Joo-chul handed over significant sums of money. It was also noted that shortly after Kim Joo-chul’s disappearance, Lee Cheol-jin purchased an expensive property under his wife’s name. However, direct evidence linking Lee Cheol-jin to foul play remains unproven.
Additionally, Unanswered Questions disclosed that Lee Cheol-jin had been arrested on suspicion of murder 19 days after Kim Joo-chul’s disappearance, but the arrest warrant was dropped due to the absence of a body. Police testimony included Lee Cheol-jin allegedly asking during his arrest, “What kind of punishment would I get if I killed someone while drunk?”
Further interviews cast doubt on Lee Cheol-jin’s claims, with North Korea experts questioning his background. Testimony from Kim Joo-chul’s son also indicated a suspicious fire incident at Lee Cheol-jin’s home shortly before the disappearance.
Following the broadcast, netizens discovered the rice cake shop operated by Lee Cheol-jin and began flooding it with negative reviews, often citing “Saw this on Unanswered Questions,” and leaving one-star ratings under the guise of public interest.
Meanwhile, SBS also showcased efforts to locate Kim Joo-chul’s remains using mobile phone tower data and search specialists. Despite ongoing investigations, Lee Cheol-jin has not been charged, and the mystery of Kim Joo-chul’s disappearance remains unsolved. Police continue to dedicate significant resources to the case each year.