5 Years Since Gu Hara's Passing: 'Gu Hara Law' Passed, But Safe Theft Case Remains Unsolved

It has been five years since the tragic passing of Gu Hara (구하라), a beloved member of the girl group KARA. Despite the time that has passed, her memory continues to evoke deep feelings of longing among fans and the public alike.

In 2024, a significant milestone was reached when the 'Gu Hara Law' was passed in the National Assembly, following a legislative petition initiated by her older brother, Gu Ho-in (구호인), four and a half years ago.

The National Assembly approved the civil law amendment known as the 'Gu Hara Law' during a session in August. This law is set to take effect in January 2026.

The amendment stipulates that individuals who have failed to fulfill their duty of support or have committed serious crimes, such as abuse, may lose their inheritance rights. To actually lose inheritance rights, a request must be made by the deceased's will or by co-heirs, and the family court must approve it.

The push for the 'Gu Hara Law' began after Gu Hara's mother unexpectedly appeared after her death, sparking a public outcry over inheritance disputes. After abandoning Gu Hara when she was just nine years old, the mother resurfaced 20 years later, demanding half of the proceeds from the sale of Gu Hara's real estate at the funeral.

In response, Gu Ho-in filed a lawsuit for the division of inheritance against his mother, who had neglected her parental duties. The Gwangju Family Court recognized the contributions of Gu Hara's father in raising her, ruling that the inheritance should be divided 60-40 in favor of the father.

In March 2020, Gu Ho-in began advocating for the 'Gu Hara Law', stating that he hoped to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in society, emphasizing the need for justice in memory of his sister.

The 'Gu Hara Law' was introduced in both the 20th and 21st National Assemblies but was stalled due to political conflicts. Finally, in the 22nd National Assembly, it successfully passed, marking a significant achievement just three months before the fifth anniversary of Gu Hara's passing.

However, the case of the theft of Gu Hara's safe remains unresolved. Following her death, it was revealed that someone had broken into her home and stolen her safe. The family left the house two days after her 49th-day memorial service, and the burglary occurred shortly after midnight on January 14. The thief attempted to enter through the front door but, after failing to input the correct code, accessed the safe from the bedroom.

Both the media and police suspect that the thief was someone familiar with Gu Hara, given the method of entry and the specific targeting of the safe. Notably, the safe contained only Gu Hara's personal mobile phone, not valuables.

This incident gained renewed attention through a documentary released by BBC News Korea earlier this year, and SBS's program 'I Want to Know That' also featured the case, investigating the identity of the thief through CCTV footage.

Gu Hara passed away on November 24, 2019, at the age of 28. She was found dead in her home in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul, with a handwritten note left on the living room table. Authorities reported that there was no evidence of foul play.