Prosecutors Indict Former Yongsan Police Chief Lee Im-jae and 4 Others Over 'Itaewon Disaster'

Park Hee-young, Yongsan District Mayor, to Decide on Indictment This Week

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Taewon] The prosecution has indicted five police officers, including former Yongsan Police Station Chief Lee Im-jae and former Yongsan 112 Situation Room Chief Song Byung-joo, on allegations of inadequate response to the ‘Itaewon disaster’.

Former Yongsan Police Chief (Senior Superintendent) Lee Im-jae, who was indicted on charges related to the inadequate response to the Itaewon disaster and the alleged deletion of information reports, is seen leaving the Western District Court in Mapo-gu, Seoul, after completing the pre-trial detention hearing on December 5 last year. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

On the 18th, the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office announced that it had arrested and indicted former Chief Lee on charges of professional negligence resulting in death and injury, and falsification and use of false official documents. Former Chief Song was indicted on charges of professional negligence resulting in death and injury. Additionally, police officer A from the Yongsan 112 Comprehensive Security Situation Room was indicted without detention on charges of professional negligence resulting in death and injury, and Lieutenant B from the Yongsan Station Community Safety Division was indicted without detention on charges of falsification and use of false official documents. Officer C, head of the Yongsan Station Women and Youth Division, who was additionally investigated by the prosecution, was also indicted without detention on charges of falsification and use of false official documents.

Former Chief Lee is accused of neglecting command duties, such as failing to take prior measures despite reports recommending the deployment of personnel during the Halloween festival period, and arriving late at the scene on the day of the Itaewon disaster.

He is also accused of involvement in the creation of a false police situation report stating that he arrived at the Itaewon police box at 10:17 p.m., 48 minutes earlier than the actual arrival time of 11:05 p.m. on the day of the disaster.

Officers B and C are accused of concealing the police’s inappropriate response. Investigations revealed that Officer C conveyed former Chief Lee’s instructions regarding the falsification of official documents, which were made on the rooftop of the Itaewon police box, to Officer B, who was in the office.

Former Chief Song is accused of neglecting command and reporting duties as the person in charge at the scene during the disaster and failing to properly handle 112 emergency calls.

Meanwhile, the prosecution stated that it will decide within this week whether to indict Park Hee-young, Mayor of Yongsan District, and Choi Won-jun, Head of the Yongsan District Safety and Disaster Division.