Yongsan District Office Executive: "Halloween Crowd Control Orders, I Recall They Didn't Exist in Previous Years"

Testimony has emerged that crowd control measures were not a focal point in the Yongsan District Office's meeting in preparation for the Itaewon Halloween event.

Park Hee-young, Mayor of Yongsan District, is leaving after the continuation of the first trial held at the Seoul Western District Court on the afternoon of the 26th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the afternoon of the 26th, the Criminal Division 11 of the Seoul Western District Court (Chief Judge Bae Seong-jung) held a trial for Park Hee-young, the head of Yongsan District Office, and other Yongsan District Office officials, who were indicted on charges including professional negligence causing death and injury, and forgery and use of false official documents. This was Park’s first trial after being released on bail on the 7th and attending the court without detention.

Kim, the head of the Administrative Support Division at Yongsan District Office, who appeared as a witness, stated, "Due to numerous noise complaints, three additional staff members were ordered to work extra shifts during last year’s Halloween festival," adding, "Except for the Itaewon street, the area is residential, so noise is severe." He further added, "I recall that there were no instructions to create documents related to crowd control measures not only in 2020?2021 but also before that."

Regarding the expanded executive meeting and emergency countermeasure meeting held before last year’s Halloween, he said, "I do not clearly remember the specific details." When asked why additional staff were assigned only for noise control, he replied, "I understand that each (responsible) department prepared separate internal plans."

Meanwhile, the court pointed out, "One of the most important issues in this case is that the Disaster Safety Situation Room was not properly operated on Halloween Day," and added, "The defense counsel should recognize this and consider submitting opinions or taking this into account in the future." The next trial is scheduled for 10 a.m. on the 17th of next month.