Park Shin-young breaks silence for the first time in five years after fatal accident: "Was I hiding? The reason behind my silence" [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Former announcer Park Shin-young directly explained the circumstances surrounding a fatal traffic accident that occurred in 2021, sharing her state of mind since the incident.

On the 11th, Park posted a lengthy message on her social media, stating, "Seeing recent reports and online reactions, I began to wonder whether remaining silent was truly the only right course of action."

She said, "I believe there must be a clear distinction between reporting facts about a past accident and using sensational language to link current daily activities to criticism."

She added, "I am aware that being a public figure makes me subject to criticism, and I have no intention of preventing legitimate criticism regarding the accident. However, I do not believe I should be expected to tolerate actions that distort facts or spread unverified information as if it were true."

In particular, Park addressed suspicions surrounding her actions at the time of the accident.

Referring to past articles suggesting she had behaved inappropriately at the scene, she revealed, "What further broke me down at the time was the stories that were reported or spread contrary to the facts."

Park explained, "Claims were reported and circulated stating that I hid without getting out of my car immediately after the accident, or that I took no action even though the deceased was trapped under the vehicle. However, these accounts differ from the actual situation and my actions at the time of the accident."

She continued, "It is not that I did not want to correct such information back then. But in a situation where one person had passed away, I struggled with whether actively clarifying that articles about me were factually incorrect was truly a duty I owed as a human being to the deceased and their family."

She revealed, "I feared that explaining my position might be perceived as an attempt to evade responsibility for the accident. Above all, I worried it would cause further pain to the bereaved family. That is why I remained silent."

Park confessed that she still lives with a sense of guilt even after the accident. She stated, "I have lived believing that I bear full responsibility for my mistakes in the accident," adding, "Just as I said in court that I would live my life in atonement, that feeling remains unchanged today."

She emphasized, "The end of the trial does not mean the end of the accident. Fulfilling legal responsibility does not erase moral responsibility."

She revealed, "I live every day reminding myself that someone lost their life in an accident involving me."

She also addressed her recent resumption of activities through TikTok live broadcasts and other platforms.

Park stated, "I am aware that the fact that this accident is being mentioned in the media again is part of what I should accept as someone who has worked as a public figure."

She added, "To some, my recent TikTok live streams may simply appear as me laughing and broadcasting happily. However, that does not mean I have forgotten the past. Laughing does not mean I am not reflecting, and challenging myself with new endeavors does not mean I have forgotten the weight of the accident."

She added, "I still live with a sense of remorse," noting, "While this gratitude does not lessen my responsibility, it is also a promise I reaffirm to myself whenever I contemplate how I should live going forward."

Separately, Park was involved in an accident in 2021 in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, when the SUV she was driving collided with a motorcycle. A delivery worker in his 50s died at the scene as a result of the accident.

The investigation into the accident revealed that Park entered an intersection on a yellow light and was traveling at 102 km/h on a road with a speed limit of 40 km/h. The motorcycle rider is also known to have entered the intersection on a red light.

Subsequently, Park was prosecuted for violating the Special Act on Traffic Accident Handling and was sentenced to a fine of 15 million won. She suspended her broadcasting activities.

Later, in February, it was reported that she had launched a handbag brand as co-CEO of PH Company. Recently, she has been communicating with the public through TikTok live streams.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original