Special Task Force Sets Sail with 'Eupchammasok' Resolve, Ending as a 'Yongdusa-mi'?

Ministry of the Interior and Safety and Seoul City Legal Review Stalled
Police Chief Yoon Hee-geun Likely to Close Case Without Indictment
Top-Level Investigation Focuses on Seoul Chief Kim Kwang-ho

[Asia Economy Reporters Seongpil Cho and Byungseon Gong] The police investigation into the cause and responsibility of the Itaewon tragedy has entered its final stage. The Police Agency's Special Investigation Headquarters (Special HQ), launched last November, plans to conclude all investigations before the Lunar New Year holiday, which is just over two weeks away. However, contrary to their pledge of conducting an "unbiased investigation," criticism has emerged that the investigation failed to reach the so-called 'upper echelons' and ended in a disappointing manner.

According to the police on the 6th, the Special HQ investigating the Itaewon tragedy has been continuing only legal reviews without progress in investigations regarding higher administrative bodies such as the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Seoul Metropolitan Government. A Special HQ official stated, "We will announce the final conclusion regarding the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Seoul Metropolitan Government by next week," but added, "As the investigation moves to higher institutions, the obligations for prior prevention and primary responsibility become unclear." The official also mentioned that the necessity of investigating Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is currently under review.

The Special HQ also plans to close the investigation on Police Commissioner Yoon Hee-geun without changing his status to a suspect. According to the Police Act, traffic congestion and safety management in situations of mass gatherings are defined as local police affairs, so criminal responsibility cannot be imposed on Commissioner Yoon. A Special HQ official explained, "Legally, the Police Commissioner does not have the duty to directly command, supervise, or prepare for local police affairs."

Since the Special HQ has reaffirmed its intention to complete all investigations before the Lunar New Year holiday, the so-called 'upper echelon' investigation is likely to conclude with the referral of Seoul Police Chief Kim Kwang-ho. Chief Kim is considered the highest-ranking police suspect investigated by the Special HQ so far. As the person responsible for overall security in Seoul, he was booked on the 1st of last month on charges of negligence causing death and injury for his delayed recognition and slow response on the day of the tragedy, which exacerbated casualties. The Special HQ plans to refer Chief Kim to the prosecution without detention next week.

The Special HQ has also shifted its approach regarding Yongsan Fire Station Chief Choi Seong-beom, who was previously considered for an arrest warrant, opting for a non-detained investigation. This is a stark contrast to the early and mid-stages of the investigation when non-detained referral was not considered. So far, the Special HQ has booked a total of 28 individuals, six of whom have been referred under detention. The Special HQ plans to refer other key suspects, including former Seoul Police Personnel and Training Director Ryu Mi-jin, former Seoul Police 112 Situation Team 3 Leader Jeong Dae-kyung, Itaewon Station Master Song Eun-young, and Yongsan District Health Center Director Choi Jae-won, without detention.

The Special HQ was established on November 1st last year, three days after the tragedy, under Police Commissioner Yoon Hee-geun's vow of "eupchamma-sok" (sacrificing a part for the whole). At that time, Commissioner Yoon pledged to "reveal the truth of the matter with the resolve to cut off his own flesh," granting independence to the Special HQ. However, as the investigation failed to reach the upper levels and neared its end, criticism such as "scapegoating" and "a disappointing finish" is expected to continue. A Special HQ official stated, "The success or failure of the investigation will ultimately be determined through the trial."