Itaewon Tragedy 'Negligent Response' Former Police Station Team Leaders Deny Charges in First Trial

Forgery Charges Including Electronic Records Acknowledged

At the trial for the Itaewon disaster 'poor response' charges, the then patrol team leader of the Itaewon Police Substation, Sergeant Gu Mo (62), and Police Officer Yoon Mo (43) denied the allegations in court.

On the 17th, at the first hearing held under Judge Ma Eun-hyuk of the Criminal Division 1 at the Seoul Western District Court, the lawyers for both sides stated that they deny the main charge of professional negligence resulting in death or injury. However, Gu's side admitted to the charge of falsifying electronic records.

Gu and Yoon, who were patrol team leaders at the Itaewon Police Substation, were prosecuted on charges of professional negligence resulting in death or injury for failing to properly respond to a 112 emergency call reporting a risk of crushing around 6:34 p.m. on October 29, 2022, which worsened the damage. The prosecution judged that Gu received one emergency call, and Officer Yoon received ten calls but did not respond appropriately.

Gu was also charged with falsifying electronic records by entering false information into the 112 system on the same day and on October 31, indicating that he had dispatched to the scene.