'Inadequate Response to Itaewon Disaster' Former Seoul Police Chief Kim Kwang-ho Acquitted in First Trial

"Difficult to Recognize Breach of Duty of Care"

Former Seoul Police Chief Kim Kwang-ho, who was prosecuted for "poor response to the Itaewon disaster" and other charges, was acquitted in the first trial.

The Criminal Division 12 of the Seoul Western District Court (Presiding Judge Kwon Seong-su) held a sentencing hearing at 10:30 a.m. on the 17th for Kim, who was charged with professional negligence causing death and injury, and acquitted him. Yu Mi-jin, then the 112 Situation Manager (Chief Superintendent) of the Seoul Police Agency, and Jeong Dae-kyung, former 112 Situation Team 3 Chief (Police Superintendent) who was on duty, were also acquitted.

The court stated, "It is clear that the defendant had a general duty to manage and supervise the Yongsan Police Station, the accident area," but added, "However, what must be judged is the part concerning professional negligence to recognize criminal responsibility. Even considering the evidence submitted by the prosecution comprehensively, there is insufficient proof to acknowledge that the defendant violated a specific and direct duty of care as the Seoul Police Chief at the pre-disaster response stage or on the day of the incident."

Kim was charged with increasing the scale of the disaster by failing to deploy adequate police forces and not fulfilling his duty of care as the commanding and supervising officer, despite foreseeing the risk of accidents due to crowds gathering through intelligence reports ahead of Halloween on October 29, 2022.

Yu, who was in charge of managing the 112 Situation Room and duty situation on the day, and Jeong, the 112 Situation Team Chief of the Seoul Police Agency, were prosecuted for delaying reports to superiors such as the Police Chief despite the flood of 112 emergency calls related to the crush, thereby exacerbating the disaster.

The prosecution requested on the 2nd of last month that Kim be sentenced to five years in prison. Yu and Jeong were each sentenced to three years and two years and six months in prison, respectively.