National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee Inquiry on Itaewon Disaster Issues
Jang Je-won: "Lee Im-jae Suspected of Deliberately Neglecting Disaster... Must Be Arrested"
Cheon Jun-ho: "Has Lee Sang-min Discussed Resignation with the President?"
Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min is attending the emergency inquiry on the Itaewon disaster held at the National Assembly on the 7th, responding to questions from lawmakers. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] Jang Je-won, a member of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee from the People Power Party, claimed that former Yongsan Police Chief Lee Im-jae deliberately neglected the Itaewon Halloween disaster and insisted that he should be arrested.
During the Public Administration and Security Committee's current issues inquiry held that day, Rep. Jang stated, "Although it is an absurd situation where the police investigate the police due to the 'Police Investigation Reform' law, the investigation must be conducted properly," expressing his view.
Rep. Jang pointed out, "Primarily, the suspicious behavior of Lee Im-jae, the Yongsan Police Chief in charge, is a mystery," adding, "It goes beyond negligent homicide to aiding and abetting murder; it is as bad as or worse than the Sewol ferry captain." He further asked, "Was the police chief's mobile phone searched?" and insisted, "He should be arrested."
Rep. Jang criticized Lee for ignoring 112 emergency calls and delaying reporting to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's higher-ups. He questioned, "After the accident, the first report to the Seoul Police Chief was at 11:36 PM, 1 hour and 20 minutes later. At 11:36 PM, reports of people fainting were already coming in, so what was the Yongsan Police Chief doing before reporting to the Seoul Police Chief at 11:36 PM? Is this sane?"
The image of former Yongsan Police Station Chief Lee Im-jae captured on CCTV during the Itaewon disaster. The CCTV footage shows former Chief Lee walking with his hands behind his back around 10:55 PM, when multiple cardiac arrest patients occurred. [Image source=Yonhap News]
He also stated that despite reports from Yongsan Police Station about pedestrian road congestion concerns and security center reports before the Halloween disaster, they were "ignored." Rep. Jang said, "Even after seeing these reports, they stood by idly," adding, "That is why it is intentional. It is professional negligence resulting in death. The more shocking fact is that there was an order to delete the fact that these documents were reported."
He continued, "The scene was chaotic, and CPR was being performed, but the police chief was either taking a stroll or a walk," criticizing, "A single photo of him standing with his hands behind his back and wandering around is the image of the Korean police, the Yongsan Police Chief." Finally, he revealed a photo on the screen showing the police chief overlooking the scene from the rooftop of the Itaewon police box.
On the same day, opposition lawmakers also criticized Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min regarding his responsibility.
When Cheon Jun-ho, a member of the Public Administration and Security Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, asked if the minister had ever offered his resignation, Minister Lee replied, "I have never offered my resignation to the president," adding, "I have not discussed this with the presidential office."
Minister Lee then said, "At this stage, the most important thing is post-incident recovery and consolation," and added, "I will do my best in the position I have been given."
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