Special Investigation Unit Re-summons Choi Seong-beom, Yongsan Fire Station Chief... Detention Decision Next Week

Choi Seong-beom, Chief of Yongsan Fire Station, is being re-summoned to the Itaewon Accident Special Investigation Headquarters in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 26th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Jo] The Police Special Investigation Headquarters (Special Investigation HQ) investigating the Itaewon disaster is summoning Choi Seongbeom, the head of Yongsan Fire Station, for questioning again on the 26th. This is the second investigation following the one on the 21st. Upon arriving at the Mapo Office of the Seoul Police Agency, where the Special Investigation HQ is located, at around 9:45 a.m., Choi told reporters, "I will respond sincerely to the investigation and provide information."

According to the Special Investigation HQ, Choi is suspected of causing increased casualties due to negligence in duty by not responding to the police's joint response request before the disaster and failing to take appropriate action immediately after the accident. It is known that Choi denied the charges during the first investigation. In particular, he actively explained why he did not promptly issue the Level 2 fire response and why no safety patrol personnel were permanently stationed in front of the Hamilton Hotel, where the disaster occurred.

The Special Investigation HQ plans to focus on identifying the charges during the investigation. They suspect that Choi failed to properly assess the situation on-site, including not responding to the police's joint response request. On the day of the disaster, Choi issued the Level 1 response at 10:43 a.m., but Levels 2 and 3 were issued by the head of the Seoul Fire Disaster Headquarters. It is reported that Choi explained during the previous investigation that he was unable to issue the orders himself because he was engrossed in rescue activities.

The Special Investigation HQ confirmed circumstances indicating that the safety duty team organized for the Halloween festival on the day of the disaster left their designated post in front of the Hamilton Hotel, and they are holding Choi, who was the safety duty supervisor at the time, accountable for supervision. Additionally, they are expanding the investigation into the overall disaster response of the fire authorities by analyzing materials related to the Central Emergency Rescue Control Team (Central Control Team) secured through a search and seizure of the Fire Agency the day before.

With Choi’s summons concluding today, the Special Investigation HQ will complete the second round of investigations for three major suspects initially booked in the early stages of the investigation, including former Yongsan Police Station Chief (Senior Superintendent) Lee Imjae and former Seoul Police Agency Personnel and Education Division Chief (Senior Superintendent) Ryu Mijin. Based on the results of these investigations, the Special Investigation HQ plans to decide next week whether to take legal action against them. There is a prevailing expectation that some suspects may be subject to arrest warrants during this process.