Charge of Involuntary Manslaughter Due to Negligence
Failure to Take Necessary Measures Despite Foreseeing Accident Risks
Kim Kwang-ho, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (60), who is accused of inadequate response to the Itaewon disaster, was indicted on the 19th.
The Criminal Division 5 of the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Kim Jung-hoon) announced that Kim was non-detained indicted on charges of professional negligence resulting in death and injury.
It has been one year since the police special investigation headquarters transferred Kim without detention in January last year, and about one year and three months since the disaster occurred, accepting the recommendation of the Prosecutors' Investigation Review Committee (Sushimwi).
According to the prosecution, Kim is accused of increasing the number of casualties on the day of the disaster by failing to deploy appropriate police forces and not taking necessary measures such as command and supervision, despite foreseeing the risk of accidents due to the mass gathering situation on Itaewon Halloween Day.
Four others, including Ryu Mi-jin, former head of the Seoul Police Agency Personnel Education Division who was on duty as the Seoul Police Agency Situation Manager on the day of the disaster, and executives of the 112 Situation Room, were also non-detained indicted on charges of professional negligence resulting in death and injury or obstruction of justice.
However, Choi Sung-beom, former head of the Yongsan Fire Station, who was under investigation for professional negligence resulting in death and injury for neglecting rescue command during the disaster and increasing casualties, was not indicted due to lack of charges.
Earlier, the Sushimwi, composed of external experts, convened on the 15th and passed a recommendation for Kim’s indictment and Choi’s non-indictment.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
