Prosecution Appeals First Trial Verdict of Former Yongsan Police Chief Lee Im-jae and Yongsan District Mayor Park Hee-young

"Disaster Safety Act Assigns Responsibility to Local Governments"

The prosecution has appealed the first-instance verdicts handed down to former Yongsan Police Chief Lee Im-jae and Yongsan District Mayor Park Hee-young, who are accused of 'inadequate response to the Itaewon disaster.'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 7th, the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office submitted an appeal against the first-instance verdicts for five police officers, including former Police Chief Lee, who was indicted and detained on charges of professional negligence resulting in death and injury, falsification and use of false official documents, and violation of the National Assembly Act on Testimony and Appraisal. The others include Song Byung-joo, former head of the Yongsan Police 112 Situation Room; Park In-hyuk, former head of the Seoul Police 112 Situation Team; Jeong Hyun-woo, former head of the Yongsan Police Women and Youth Division; and Choi Yong-won, former sergeant of the Yongsan Police Community Safety Division. Additionally, the prosecution appealed against four Yongsan District Office officials, including Mayor Park, who was indicted and detained on charges of professional negligence resulting in death and injury, and falsification and use of false official documents.

Earlier, on the 30th of last month, the Criminal Division 11 of the Seoul Western District Court (Presiding Judge Bae Seong-jung) sentenced former Police Chief Lee to three years in prison, Song and Park to two years and one year in prison respectively, both with two years of probation, and acquitted Sergeant Choi and Director Jeong. On the same day, all four Yongsan District Office officials, including Mayor Park, were acquitted.

The prosecution stated, "Considering that the Disaster and Safety Act assigns local governments the responsibility to protect citizens from disasters, prepare countermeasures, coordinate comprehensively with related agencies at disaster sites, and carry out emergency measures, the first-instance court misinterpreted the facts and the law." They added, "Given the defendants' negligence and the serious consequences that resulted, as well as their attempts to shift responsibility and lack of sincere remorse, we seek sentencing commensurate with the crimes committed," explaining the reasons for the appeal.