Ignoring Flooded 112 Calls... Once Again, the 'Police Responsibility Debate'

Transcript Released, First Report at 6 PM
Surge Around 9 PM
Only One Emergency 'Code 0' Issued
Police Face Growing Responsibility for 'Complacent Judgment'

Yoon Hee-geun, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, is expressing his position and apologizing regarding the 'Itaewon tragedy' at the National Police Agency in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, on the 1st.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The 112 emergency call recordings released by the National Police Agency on the afternoon of the 1st vividly reveal how inadequate the police response was before the Itaewon tragedy. The recordings show that despite numerous people gathering in Itaewon and signs of an impending disaster, the police repeatedly missed opportunities to prevent the accident due to complacent judgments. Police Chief Yoon Hee-geun promised a thorough investigation with strict oversight to verify the facts, but the fallout from the public opinion worsened by the release of the recordings is unlikely to subside easily.

According to the recordings, the first report was made at 6:34 p.m., 3 hours and 41 minutes before the tragedy occurred. A citizen said, "People cannot come down the alley, but they keep pushing up, so it feels like they will be crushed." The police classified this report as 'Code 2' at the time. Code 2 refers to situations where there is a potential risk to life or body or where crime prevention is necessary. In other words, it indicates a 'non-emergency situation.' This can be interpreted as evidence that the seriousness of the situation was not recognized.

Afterward, the number of reports sharply increased around 9 p.m. Reports included statements such as "People are being crushed" and "A major accident is imminent." Four minutes before the tragedy, at 10:11 p.m., screams were also recorded. Even then, the police issued the most urgent Code 0 only once. Even that time, the scene was judged to have a reduced crowd and a lower risk of accident, so the situation was closed on-site.

Following the release of the recordings, the issue of police responsibility for this tragedy surged. President Yoon Seok-yeol showed a strong reaction and personally ordered, "Thoroughly uncover the truth so that there is no suspicion and handle it strictly according to law and principles." Voices of criticism also emerged from the political sphere. Spokespersons from both ruling and opposition parties unanimously said, "A thorough investigation must be conducted and responsibility must be held."

Police Chief Yoon Hee-geun also acknowledged the inadequate response on the fourth day after the tragedy and bowed his head. He promised a rigorous inspection and investigation. The National Police Agency explained the background of releasing the recordings, stating, "We will reveal the substantive truth with a resolve to cut to the bone." However, despite these explanations and efforts at self-reflection, the prevailing view is that it will be difficult to calm the rapidly worsening public sentiment.

This is not the first time the police have faced difficulties due to inadequate response to 112 emergency calls. The most representative case was during the 2012 Oh Won-chun incident. The recordings showed that despite the victim repeatedly reporting a dangerous situation, the police were inactive at the time. When these recordings were released, the police’s initial inadequate response was brought under scrutiny, ultimately leading to the dismissal of then-Police Chief Cho Hyun-oh.

However, unlike before, the 112 emergency call recordings of the Itaewon tragedy were voluntarily released by the police first. Even during the Oh Won-chun incident, the police refused to disclose the recordings citing the Public Information Disclosure Act. From the police perspective, despite being able to anticipate responsibility issues and a rapid deterioration of public opinion based on past cases, this can be seen as an expression of willingness to uncover the substantive truth.

The inspection of the inadequate response to the Itaewon tragedy will be handled by a special inspection team led by the National Police Agency’s Audit Officer. If violations such as dereliction of duty or falsification of official documents are found during the inspection, it may be converted into an investigation. When asked about his intention to resign the day before, Chief Yoon said, "When the (inspection and investigation) results come out later, I will take appropriate actions at some point regarding the (inadequate) parts."