[Anchor]
The 64-year-old mayor of Seoul, Park Won-soon, was found dead in the woods of Mount Bugak near his official residence just after midnight Friday.
He was reported missing for more than seven hours after sending his daughter a will-like message.
Julie Sohn has more on this story.
[Reporter]
Police confirmed early Friday that the body of the mayor had been found on a hillside on Mount Bukak, near his official residence in the Jongno District, just after midnight, along with a bag, cell phone and his business card.
The discovery of Park's body came after some 600 police and fire officials, aided by police dogs, searched areas where his cell phone signal had last been detected.
According to officials, there were no signs of foul play.
Park's daughter reported his disappearance to police at 5:17 p.m. Thursday, saying she could not reach her father.
He was said to have made "will-like" comments to his family before he left his home earlier in the day around 10:40 a.m.
Park, a former human rights lawyer and civic activist, was a member of the ruling Democratic Party.
He had served as mayor of Seoul since 2011 and he was regarded as a potential candidate to run for president in 2022.
The reason for Park's disappearance is still unclear.
According to local reports, Park recently faced allegations of sexual harassment.
His former secretary filed a complaint Wednesday with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, claiming she received unwanted "physical contact" and "inappropriate" messages from the mayor.
<Photo: Yonhap News>
