Security Chief: "Yoon Residence Guard of 200 People" Opposition Claim "Not True... Similar to Cheong"

National Assembly Operations Committee Audit Response: "Deployment of 200 in Hannam-dong is Exaggerated... Rumors"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Kim Jong-cheol, Deputy Chief of the Presidential Security Service, dismissed the opposition's claim that the deployment of police at the presidential residence in Hannam-dong was one of the causes of the Itaewon Halloween crowd crush disaster as a rumor on the 8th.

On the same day, during the National Assembly's Steering Committee's audit of the Presidential Office, Kim responded to a question from People Power Party lawmaker Jeon Bong-min asking, "Isn't there a rumor that the disaster worsened due to the deployment of security personnel?" by saying, "There was (such a rumor)," but added, "(The disaster worsening) is not true."

Kim appeared at the audit in place of Kim Yong-hyun, Chief of the Security Service, who was absent due to accompanying President Yoon Suk-yeol. Kim explained, "Although I cannot provide detailed personnel figures, the claim that 200 officers were deployed in Hannam-dong is greatly exaggerated. The actual number was much smaller," and added, "In terms of total security personnel, the scale is similar to the police force previously stationed at the Blue House."

Ahn Gwi-ryeong, Senior Deputy Spokesperson of the Democratic Party of Korea, claimed in a written briefing on the 5th that a large number of police officers were deployed at the Hannam-dong residence on the day of the disaster. Ahn pointed out, "As the presidential couple postponed moving in, leaving the house empty, about 200 police officers were deployed to guard it."

When asked by lawmaker Jeon whether the Itaewon disaster was unrelated to the Security Service's protection of the Hannam-dong residence, Kim gave a direct answer: "Yes, it is."