[Itaewon Tragedy] Yoon, Angered by Police Inadequate Response, Orders "Reveal the Truth Without Any Doubt"

President Yoon, after receiving police report, orders "strict handling according to law and principles"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] President Yoon Suk-yeol was reported to have shown an agitated reaction after being informed that the police failed to respond appropriately to citizens' 112 emergency calls before the 'Itaewon Halloween crowd crush disaster' occurred on the 1st, and instructed to "thoroughly uncover the truth to leave no room for suspicion."

According to a senior official at the Presidential Office, President Yoon gave this instruction after receiving a report on the '112 call records prior to the Itaewon incident' submitted by the National Police Agency before the Cabinet meeting he presided over at 10 a.m. that day, saying, "Handle this strictly according to law and principles."

The Presidential Office received the 112 call records from the day of the incident, October 29, on the morning of the 1st. It is observed that upon identifying inappropriate aspects in the police response process, a decision was also made regarding the necessity of inspection and investigation.

President Yoon was enraged upon confirming the police's inadequate response, and his aides reportedly expressed that "it is difficult to trust the police."

The National Police Agency publicly released the 112 call records reported to President Yoon at 5 p.m. on the same day through the media. The disclosed records include detailed descriptions from citizens via emergency calls expressing concerns about the risk of crowd crush more than four hours before the incident and requests for police dispatch. It also revealed that the police did not actively control the crowd at the scene.

Yoon Hee-geun, Commissioner of the National Police Agency; Lee Sang-min, Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety; Park Hee-young, Mayor of Yongsan District, Seoul; and Oh Se-hoon, Mayor of Seoul, all expressed their apologies simultaneously.

Commissioner Yoon acknowledged at a press conference at 11:30 a.m. that "the on-site response to handling 112 calls was inadequate," promising a high-intensity inspection and swift investigation.

Minister Lee also appeared before the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee at 2 p.m. to apologize to the public, and Mayor Park issued a statement expressing "deep regret" and apologizing.

Mayor Oh likewise held a press conference in the afternoon, stating, "I feel infinite responsibility for this accident and offer my deepest apologies."