The Instagram story announcing the death of former short track national team member Kim Gun-woo has been confirmed as fake.
On the afternoon of September 23, Kim Gun-woo stated regarding the obituary post that appeared earlier in the day, "The post was not written or posted by me, and it was published on my account without my consent. I am currently investigating why I could not access my account normally and how this post was made."
He added, "I take seriously the concern and confusion this post has caused many people, especially since the facts have not been fully verified."
Earlier that morning, Kim Gun-woo's Instagram story included a message that read, "We regret to inform you that Kim Gun-woo passed away on September 23, 2026. We would appreciate your warm condolences and prayers for the deceased's final journey. May he rest in peace." This post appeared to be written by family members, leading to multiple news reports on the matter.
Kim Gun-woo explained that he was unable to respond immediately to the death rumors because, at the time the problematic post was made, he could not access his Instagram account. He was unaware of the post until he learned about it through contacts later.
Finally, Kim Gun-woo stated, "I am currently taking necessary steps to verify and address this situation," and requested understanding to prevent the spread and reproduction of unverified information or speculation.
Kim Gun-woo, a former short track national team athlete, announced his retirement in June after a disappointing performance in the selection trials for this year's Winter Olympics. Interest is growing regarding the circumstances surrounding the sudden fake obituary that emerged three months after his retirement.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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