Park Na-rae’s Home Robbery Suspect Arrested, Jang Do-yeon Cleared After Baseless Accusations
In a major development that brings both relief and closure, a suspect has been apprehended in the recent home robbery of comedian and TV personality Park Na-rae. The arrest also clears the name of fellow entertainer and longtime friend Jang Do-yeon, who had been wrongfully implicated by malicious online rumors.
Park Na-rae’s Agency Cleared The Baseless Rumors
On April 14, Park Na-rae’s agency, E&P Company, confirmed the arrest in an official statement, “After determining that this was a case of external intrusion, we provided home CCTV footage to the police on April 8. The police quickly identified and arrested the suspect, and a detention warrant has already been issued. We are incredibly relieved and grateful to law enforcement for their swift investigation.”
The agency also responded to circulating rumors suggesting the robbery was an inside job. “There is no truth to the claims suggesting internal involvement. We respectfully request that unverified reports cease,” they said, warning of strong legal action against the spread of groundless speculation and misinformation.
Park Na-rae discovered the break-in at her Itaewon residence on April 8, prompting an immediate report to the Yongsan Police Station. The property, purchased in 2021 for approximately 5.5 billion KRW, had previously been featured on the variety show “I Live Alone.” The estimated financial loss from the robbery reportedly runs into the tens of millions of KRW. Park withdrew from a scheduled radio appearance that same day.
Shortly afterward, on April 9, a news outlet reported that the police suspected an inside job due to a lack of signs of forced entry. Jang Do-yeon, Park’s friend of 18 years, was unfairly dragged into the spotlight, especially via YouTube videos that falsely accused her of the crime. These videos, largely consumed by older demographics, rapidly spread baseless narratives about a rift between the two comedians.
Arrested Suspect’s Information Revealed
On April 18, the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul announced that the suspect, identified only as Mr. A, in his 30s, had been transferred to the prosecution in custody on charges of nighttime housebreaking and theft. Mr. A is accused of breaking into Park Na-rae’s residence in Yongsan District on April 4 and fleeing with valuables worth millions of KRW. Authorities also found that he had attempted to sell the stolen items.
Although rumors circulated suggesting an insider may have been involved due to knowledge of the home’s layout, it was confirmed that Mr. A had no prior acquaintance with Park Na-rae.
According to police, Mr. A had also committed a similar burglary in another home in the same district in late March. The two cases have been consolidated, and he has been charged with unlawful trespassing and theft.
With the real suspect now in custody, Jang Do-yeon has been formally cleared, though the damage from being unjustly targeted remains.