Seoul Police Investigate Mummified Body of Chinese National Found in Guro

Police in Seoul are investigating the death of a 50-year-old Chinese national whose mummified body was discovered in an alleyway in Guro-gu. The deceased, who had been staying in South Korea illegally since 2011, had reportedly been hospitalized in an intensive care unit for 17 days in August due to an underlying illness.

Investigations revealed that the man was discharged from the hospital on August 31 without paying his medical bills. While it is believed he returned to his residence after discharge, his body was found in an empty adjacent room rather than his usual living quarters. His female cohabitant, who was also an undocumented resident, reportedly left the country while the man was hospitalized.

Authorities have arrested two individuals, a 60-year-old man and an 80-year-old landlord, on suspicion of abandoning the body. However, a court recently rejected arrest warrants for the suspects, citing no flight risk. The suspects have reportedly claimed they mistook the body for a doll. Police are awaiting final autopsy results from the National Forensic Service to determine the exact cause and timing of death.