Missing Seoul mayor’s body found in hills after huge search

THE body of the missing mayor of South Korea’s capital city has been found, according to police.

Park Won-soon’s body was located in hills in northern Seoul early today, more than seven hours after a huge search was launched.

Mr Park’s daughter had called police yesterday afternoon to report him missing, saying he had given her a “will-like” message before leaving home.

She did not explain the contents of the message, an officer at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said. His daughter said she decided to call police because she could not reach her father on his phone, the officer said.

A police officer said his body was found near a restaurant and banquet hall located in the hills.

One of Park’s secretaries had reportedly lodged a complaint with police on Wednesday night over alleged sexual harassment.

Kim Ji-hyeong, a Seoul Metropolitan Government official, said Mr Park did not come to work yesterday for unspecified reasons and had cancelled all of his schedule.