Stalking Murder Occurs, Seoul Metro Atmosphere 'Somber', CEO's Position in Focus

Prosecutors Conduct Construction Site Search and Seizure on the 23rd; Somber Atmosphere at Construction Site... CEO Kim Sang-beom to Issue Apology to Victims, Bereaved Families, and Citizens at 11 AM on the 24th... Growing Interest in His Position

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The atmosphere at Seoul Metro, where an unprecedented stalking murder incident occurred, is somber.

From the president to the lowest-ranking employees, no one can find words, saying "It is too tragic." Given this situation, it seems easy to imagine how Kim Sang-beom, the president, must be feeling these days without even seeing him.

Seoul Metro is the largest public corporation under the Seoul Metropolitan Government, employing about 17,000 people. Also, since it serves as the transportation lifeline for 10 million Seoul citizens and metropolitan area residents, the president of the corporation cannot afford to relax even while sleeping at night.

In this context, with this unprecedented stalking murder incident occurring, President Kim is unlikely to escape moral responsibility. Although his term is until March next year, it seems unlikely he will complete it.

The day after the incident, President Kim went to Seoul City to report on the case, and on the 20th, he attended the full meeting of the National Assembly's Women and Family Committee, where he was questioned by lawmakers and reported plans to reduce female employees' duty shifts and introduce a virtual patrol concept using CCTV. However, his expression was clearly very embarrassed. Also, the Seoul Metropolitan Council's Transportation Committee (Chairman Park Jung-hwa) plans to hold a full meeting on the 25th to discuss the corporation's response measures, putting President Kim in a very uncomfortable position.

Because of this, discussions about President Kim's position have already surfaced in Seoul City and elsewhere. A Seoul City official said, "Since Mayor Oh Se-hoon's inauguration after last year's by-election, there were several opportunities for President Kim to step down, but he has held on until now, and it is very unfortunate that such an incident has occurred."

In fact, during the late Mayor Park Won-soon's administration, President Jang Jung-woo resigned after the Sangwangsimni Station train collision incident. Also, President Lee Jung-won took moral responsibility and resigned due to the failure of the corporation's integration, and after the Guui Station incident, he was investigated by the police. Subsequently, President Kim Tae-ho enjoyed the fortune of being a long-serving president for over five years.

Thus, it has become customary for the corporation's president to resign due to moral responsibility regardless of personal fault.

After President Kim Tae-ho, President Kim Sang-beom, who took office, experienced incidents such as the death of a disabled person at Bucheon Sangdong Station and several train derailments, but no incidents that caused social upheaval. Especially, even during the heavy rain on August 11, he managed flood control measures well enough to receive praise from Mayor Oh Se-hoon.

However, with an incident causing such a significant social impact occurring this time, it seems that President Kim's position will soon be decided.

It also appears inevitable for the sake of changing the corporation's atmosphere.

President Kim Sang-beom is walking to the memorial space on the morning of the 24th to apologize to the victims, bereaved families, and citizens.

On the morning of the 24th at 11 a.m., President Kim Sang-beom visited the memorial altar set up at the scene of the 'Sindang Station Stalking Murder Incident' ten days after it occurred, apologized to the victim, bereaved family, and citizens, and promised to prevent recurrence. President Kim visited the memorial space set up at Sindang Station on Seoul Subway Line 2, laid flowers, and read an apology statement, saying, "I pray for the repose of the deceased who lost their life in this unfortunate incident," and added, "No matter what good measures we create, the deceased cannot come back, but I believe this incident serves as a warning to prevent the same thing from happening again."