Police recreate scene, confirm possibility of 'hanging death' in Jeju case

Jeju police have concluded that a hanging death is a possible cause for the demise of a woman, identified only as Ms. Jang, who was found dead in a Jeju orchard over 100 days after her initial missing person report was falsely closed. The police's assertion follows persistent doubts surrounding the initial findings.

The reenactment experiment, conducted at the palm tree orchard in Hallym-eup, Jeju City, where Ms. Jang's body was discovered on August 24, focused on whether a hanging death could occur under the circumstances. Police reportedly considered the victim's physical condition and tested the load-bearing capacity of the palm tree, concluding that it was sufficient to support a person's weight.

However, questions remain about the suitability of the location for such an act. Critics and Ms. Jang's family and boyfriend have raised concerns, pointing out that the orchard is isolated, dark, and sparsely populated at night, making it an unlikely place for a woman to visit alone. They also argued that the palm tree's trunk is weak and has many sharp parts, making hanging difficult.

Ms. Jang had reportedly expressed fear of the orchard and rarely visited it, according to her family and boyfriend. She was found dead at the orchard after her initial missing person report was falsely closed in May. The National Forensic Service's autopsy results had previously suggested that Ms. Jang died by hanging herself from a palm tree.