Indictment Decision Delayed: Revisiting the Itaewon Disaster One Year Later

Prosecution Remains Undecided on Indictment of Police Leadership in Itaewon Disaster

As the first anniversary of the Itaewon disaster approaches, in which 159 people lost their lives, the decision to indict the identified police leadership at the highest level is still pending.

The newly formed prosecution investigation team has expressed its intention to revisit the case from the beginning, indicating that it may take some time before a final conclusion is reached.

Our reporter, Woongseong Yoon, provides the latest updates.

Reported Neglect of Security Measures

Exactly one year ago, on October 29, a tragic stampede occurred in Itaewon, Seoul, during Halloween festivities, resulting in the loss of 159 lives.

After a two-month investigation, the Special Investigation Headquarters of the National Police Agency confirmed accusations that the negligence of security measures contributed to the increased number of casualties. Consequently, 23 individuals involved were sent to the prosecution for further legal action.

Former Seoul Police Station Chief, Yongsan Lee Im-jae, and Park Hee-young Yongsan-gu Chief Office were among those facing trial for their roles in the incident. However, the decision on whether Commissioner Kim Gwang-ho, the highest-ranking officer at the Seoul Police Agency, will be indicted remains unresolved even after a year.

Debate on Possible Charges

The central issue at hand is whether Commissioner Kim Kwang-ho can be charged with manslaughter due to professional negligence. However, it is reported that the investigation team and the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office hold differing opinions on this matter.

The Western Seoul District Prosecutors’ Office, led by a new line of command, including the chief prosecutor, plans to review the case from scratch to determine whether to indict Commissioner Kim.

Given the complexity of the case, including the examination of records, legal principles, and the possibility of additional investigations, it is expected that a considerable amount of time will be required to reach a final decision.

Delay in Prosecuting Senior Police Officials

Curiously, Commissioner Kim’s senior officials, Commissioner General Yoon Hee-geun and Minister of Public Administration and Security Lee Sang-min, have not been transferred to the special police headquarters.

While Minister Lee faced a motion for impeachment in the National Assembly, the Constitutional Court rejected it, stating that it was challenging to ascertain his breach of the Disasters and Safety Act.

Meanwhile, as the legal proceedings continue, all six individuals involved, including Yongsan-gu Mayor Park Hee-young and Yongsan Police Chief Lee Im-jae, have been released on bail.

Victims’ Families Demand Accountability

As less than a month remains until the first anniversary of the Itaewon disaster, no one has been held accountable through a court sentence for their actions during the tragic incident.

This is Yoon Woong-seong reporting for YTN.

Video editing: Ma Young-hoo

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[앵커]

At the end of this month, we will mark the first anniversary of the Itaewon disaster, which killed 159 people, but it has not yet been decided whether to indict the police leadership identified as the highest level.

The newly formed prosecution investigation team intends to look again from the beginning, so it is expected that it will take some time to reach a final conclusion.

Reporter Woongseong Yoon covered the story.

[기자]

A year ago, on October 29, a stampede occurred in Itaewon, Seoul, where Halloween was taking place, killing 159 people.

After two months of investigation, the National Police Agency’s Special Investigation Headquarters found that the accusations of increasing the number of casualties due to the neglect of security measures had been recognized and sent 23 people involved to the prosecution.

The prosecution handed over the trial of those responsible for the scene, including former Seoul Police Station Chief Yongsan Lee Im-jae and Park Hee-young Yongsan-gu Chief Office, but has been delaying a decision on Chief Seoul Police Agency officer, Kim Gwang-ho, the most “high-ranking officer,” for a year.

The key issue is whether it is possible to charge Commissioner Kim Kwang-ho with manslaughter through professional negligence, but it is known that the investigation team and the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office have differed in their opinions.

The Western Seoul District Prosecutors’ Office, which recently had a new line of command including the chief prosecutor, plans to look again from the beginning whether to indict Commissioner Kim.

In this case, it is expected that considerably more time will be required as not only the review of records and legal principles, but also additional investigation if necessary, cannot be ruled out.

[윤복남 / 민변 10·29참사대응 TF단장 : 보고를 안 받았을 리 없는 상태에서 김광호 서울청장에 대한 기소 여부가 늦어지고 있는 점에 대해 굉장히 이례적이라고 생각을 하고요. ‘검찰이 수사를 제대로 안 하고 있다’ 이렇게 볼 수밖에 없습니다.]

Commissioner Kim’s senior officials, Commissioner General Yoon Hee-geun and Minister of Public Administration and Security Lee Sang-min, were not even transferred to the special police headquarters.

Although the National Assembly passed a motion to impeach Minister Lee, the Constitutional Court rejected it, saying that it was difficult to say that he was in breach of the Disasters and Safety Act.

Meanwhile, as the case dragged on, all six people involved, including Yongsan-gu Mayor Park Hee-young and Yongsan Police Chief Lee Im-jae, were released on bail.

[이정민 / 이태원참사유가족협의회 운영위원장(지난 9월) : 159명이 희생된 참담한 사태에 대해서 어느 누구도 책임지는 이가 없고, 책임 소재도 밝혀지지 않았습니다. 도저히 납득하기 어렵고….]

There is less than a month left until the first anniversary of the Itaewon disaster, but not one person who was responsible at the time has been punished by a court sentence.

This is Yoon Woong-seong’s YTN.

Video editing; Ma Young-hoo

※ ‘Your report becomes news’
[카카오톡] Search YTN and add a channel
[전화] 02-398-8585
[메일] social@ytn.co.kr

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